Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has handed over the Poes Garden residence of former Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa to her niece Deepa Jayakumar on Friday evening.

Chennai district administration has handed over the key of Poes Garden residence of former Chief Minister late Jayalalithaa to Deepa Jayakumar.

Recently Madras High Court has set aside the order of the Tamil Nadu government of taking over the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa, government has taken over the property and declared it a monument.

After taking the key of Poes Garden residence, Deepa Jayakumar said that “I have taken procession of my aunt’s residence. This is the first time I am visiting the house in absence of my aunt. The house looks barren and empty now. The furniture used by my aunt has been removed”, she told reporters. She has expressed her interest to live in Poes garden house.

 The court's decision came after petitions were filed by Ms Deepa and her brother Deepak, challenging the acquisition of the bungalow by the previous AIADMK government. The Madras High Court had ruled that the property should go to them and also asked the state government to take back the compensation cash it had deposited in the court payable to the family.

In its order, the court ruled that the takeover by the government was illegal and said, "There is no public interest in this acquisition... there is already an 80 crore memorial for Jayalalithaa along the Marina (beach) a few kilometres away. What's the inspirational story that Veda Nilayam may provide which the 80 crore Marina memorial doesn't?"