Shanghai Minhang District government was yesterday ordered to pay 500,000 yuan (US$78,000) to an elderly couple whose home was demolished in 2011, following a hearing at Changning District People's Court.

The couple, 76-year-old Liu Guangjia and his 72-year-old wife Zhu Rongzhou, had sued the district government for 211 million yuan, on the grounds that their home was also a museum and contained lots of really valuable items.

These included an ancient flower pot, some medals, 500,000 yuan in cash, gold bars and jewelry.

The court, however, said the claim was too high as the couple had no evidence to prove the existence of the items.

The couple's lawyer told Shanghai Daily they plan to appeal.

The house was demolished on April 27, 2012. All of their possession were valued at the time by the district notary office and a real estate appraisal company.

Some items were returned to the couple and the rest were put in storage. When the couple asked for the items back they were refused.

They ruled the demolition legal and that the appraisal was fair.

However, it said the district government should repay the value of items damaged and lost, such as bonsai trees and fish the couple had in a pond. The value on these items was set at 500,000 yuan.

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