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Madras High CourtWP/9805/2026disposed of

Mrs.Meera, v. The Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquistion),

2026-03-17Honourable Mr Justice Abdul Quddhose6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE

1. Mrs.Meera, Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquistion), Chennai Outer Ring Road Project, CMDA,Koyembedu, Chennai-600107 2.The District Collector, District Collectors Office, Tiruvallur-602001 Respondent(s) PRAYER Calling for the records pertaining to the acquisition of the land comprised in Survey No.89/3K2,measuring 0.12.5 Hectares,situated at Morai Village,Avadi Taluk,Tiruvallur District,acquired under Award No.15/2006 dated 20.09.2006 for the Chennai Outer Ring Road Project,and directing the respondents herein to initiate proceedings under section 101 of the Land Acquisition Act,2013 permit the petitioner to refund the compensation amount of Rs.25,438/- with applicable interest,and reconvey the said land in favour of the petitioner by restoring her name in all revenue and registry records For Petitioner(s):

Mr.J.Karthik Eswaran For Respondent(s):

Mr.Stalin Abhimanyu,AGP For Respondent

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents to reconvey the lands, morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition, in favour of the petitioner, as per the provisions of Section 101 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, on the petitioner refunding the compensation amount received by her for the said land acquisition.

2. According to the petitioner, the lands, morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition, which were acquired from the petitioner under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, have not been put to use by the respondents till date. In such circumstances, the petitioner seeks for reconveyance of the lands.

3. The petitioner has also proposed to refund the compensation amount to the respondents, to enable the petitioner to get reconveyance of the acquired lands. The petitioner had given a representation on 18.12.2025 as per the provisions of Section 101 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, seeking for reconveyance of the acquired lands. Since the said representation has not been considered till date, this writ petition has been filed.

4. Mr. Stalin Abhimanyu, learned Additional Government Pleader accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. At the outset, he would submit that the provisions of Section 101 of the Act, 2013 will not apply to the case of the petitioner, since the lands were acquired from the petitioner only as per the provisions of the old Act, viz., the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, Section 48B, enables the Government to reconvey the lands to the owners, from whom the lands were acquired, if the Government deems it fit to do so.

5. The learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that if at all the petitioner's representation can be considered, it can be considered only under Section 48B of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

6. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the respective contentions.

7. No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if the petitioner's representation dated 18.12.2025, seeking for recoveyance of the lands, is considered on merits and in accordance with law within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

8. This Court is also not expressing its view whether the representation of the petitioner will have to be considered by the respondents under Section 101 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 or under Section 48B of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. It is left open for the respondents to decide the same on merits and in accordance with law.

9. For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the second respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's representation dated 18.12.2025, seeking for reconveyance of the lands morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition, which were acquired from the petitioner within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

10. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed its view with regard to the provisions of law under which the respondents will have to decide the petitioner's representation and is left open for the respondents to decide the same on merits and in accordance with law.

11. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No Costs. 17-03-2026

Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ab To 1.The Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquistion), Chennai Outer Ring Road Project, CMDA,Koyembedu, Chennai-600107 2.The District Collector, District Collectors Office, Tiruvallur-602001

ABDUL QUDDHOSE J.

ab 17-03-2026