Chandigarh, Sept. 19 -- Bringing an end to a nearly three-decade run of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA), the UT sports department officially took possession of the Sector 10 sports complex on Thursday, citing lease violations.

The takeover, carried out early morning in the presence of central sub-divisional magistrate Naveen and a heavy police presence, came a day after the expiry of the seven-day notice period issued to CLTA following the termination of its lease. Security staff from the sports department have now been deployed at the complex to ensure its smooth transition.

The Punjab and Haryana high court will take up a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the takeover on Friday. The plea raises concerns regardin...