Judge sentences Grand Chateau owner to 630 days in jail for ignored demolition order

A Jackson, Mississippi, judge has handed down a 630-day jail sentence to the owner of the Grand Chateau apartments. The penalty was imposed on Thursday after the property owner failed to meet a court-ordered deadline to begin demolition work.

Judge Jeffrey Reynolds of the Jackson Environmental Court ordered the sentence against Ramesh Ramchandran. The ruling followed a finding of guilty on seven code violations related to the dilapidated condition of the West Capitol Street complex. Reynolds had previously suspended the 630-day term on the condition that Ramchandran apply for a permit to restore or demolish the building within 30 days.

Court records indicate Ramchandran did not submit the required permit application by Thursday. Consequently, the judge revoked the suspension and ordered the extradition process to begin immediately.

Ramchandran now resides in Georgia. Reynolds is seeking a warrant from the Georgia governor to facilitate the defendant's return to Mississippi for the start of his incarceration. The judge wrote that the defendant must serve the sentence day-for-day without early release unless granted express written permission.

Reynolds described the Grand Chateau as a menace to residents of the city. The legal action follows initial local reports on the poor state of the apartments. The sentence requires Ramchandran to serve the full term in custody.