Chennai– In a landmark ruling, the Madras High Court has ordered the demolition of an illegally constructed Catholic church and a towering 50-foot grotto erected on government land along St. Mary’s Road in Alwarpet, Chennai. The court has directed civic authorities to complete the demolition within 12 weeks and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for the encroachment and associated illegal activities.
The ruling, delivered on April 2, 2025, shines a spotlight on years of unauthorized construction, forged documents, and unregulated fundraising under the guise of religious activity. Despite complaints from the public, authorities had failed to act for decades.
What began in the late 1990s as an unapproved marriage hall on poramboke land was later converted into a church without any legal sanction. In 2024, a massive 50-foot grotto was added—again without permission. The entire construction was led by Pastor Antonyraj, builder Titus Thanga Primus, and members of the Parish Development Committee.
Investigations revealed that the group ran an illegal lottery to raise funds, violating the Tamil Nadu Prize Scheme (Prohibition) Act. No audits or financial transparency were maintained. When questioned, they submitted forged documents, including a fake letter to the Chennai Corporation signed using the pastor’s seal while he was out of station.
The court took strong exception to this manipulation, naming Pastor Antonyraj and builder Titus Thanga Primus as primary respondents. A letter from the church dated February 29, 2024, attempted to mislead officials by portraying the massive grotto as a minor, decades-old structure affected by cyclone damage. The court, however, rejected the claim and called out the forgery.
Photographic evidence submitted in court identified several individuals involved in the construction and cover-up. Among them were Titus Thanga Primus, Baskar, Ebineesh Santhuraj alias Ebenezer, Sebastian, Leema Rose, Pastor Jeyakumar, Rajesh, and Gracy Ebineesh—all of whom are now under legal scrutiny.
The Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Parikar and other social groups have drawn attention to the selective silence of mainstream media on such encroachments by Christian missionaries, even as similar cases involving the Waqf Board receive more coverage.
Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) had earlier filed a complaint against Archbishop George Antonysamy in 2024 for attempting to influence voters on communal lines—a concern now echoed by the court’s ruling.
Legal experts and community leaders say this case highlights a broader pattern of systemic land encroachment across India under religious fronts. The recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament is being seen as a timely legislative step, but many now urge equal scrutiny of all religious encroachments, especially involving Hindu temple lands and mutts.
The Madras High Court’s ruling sends a strong message: abuse of religious authority and the encroachment of public land under the garb of faith will not be tolerated.
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