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Madras High CourtWP/6504/2026disposed of

T.Senthil Kumar v. The District Collector

2026-03-02Honourable Mr Justice Abdul Quddhose5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE T.Senthil Kumar S/o P Thangavel, 56 Salem Road, Kallakurichi Taluk, Kallakurichi District 606202.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector Cum Land Acquisition Officer Chinna Salem Kallakurichi New Broad Gauge Railway Line Project Kallakurichi District.

2. The District Revenue Officer Kallakurichi Kallakurichi District New Broad Gauge Railway Line Project Kallakurichi.

3. The Special Tahsildar Land Acquisition Chinna Salem, Kallakurichi New Broad Gauge Railway Line Project Southern Railway, Office Of The Tahsildar, Kallakurichi Taluk And District.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER - This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to pay interest on the delayed payment of compensation amount of Rs.3,07,06,721/- paid towards 1/3rd development charges as per the award dated 13.06.2025 in NaKa.Aa.1/2674/2019 calculated from the date of the original award in

Na.Ka.Aa.1/2674/2019 dated 20.06.2024 at the rate of 9% per annum for the first year, i.e till 19.06.2025 and thereafter at the rate of 15% per annum till 13.08.2025 being the date on which the compensation amount was deposited into the petitioner's account upon consideration of the petitioner's representation dated 17.11.2025 within the time frame. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Senthil.S For Respondent(s):

Mr.D.Ravichender, Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the 1st respondent to pay interest on the alleged delay in payment of the compensation to the petitioner in respect of the lands acquired from the petitioner based on his representation dated 17.11.2025 within a time frame fixed by this Court. 2.Earlier, the petitioner had challenged the deduction of 1/3rd from the compensation amount determined by the respondents on account of development charges before this Court by filing a Writ Petition in W.P.No.4461 of 2025. By the order dated 17.02.2025, the said Writ Petition came to be allowed and the deduction of 1/3rd towards development charges was quashed by this Court. In view of the same, the petitioner was also paid the 1/3rd deducted amount. However, according to the petitioner, there was a delay on the part of the respondents to pay the entire compensation amount. The petitioner

seeks for payment of interest for the delayed payment at the rate of 9% per annum for the first year till 19.06.2025 and thereafter, at the rate of 15% per annum till 13.08.2025 as per the provisions of Section 72 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as the 'RFCTLARR Act' for the sake of convenience). The petitioner had given a representation for the aforesaid purposes on 17.11.2025 to the respondents. Since the same has not been considered, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition. No prejudice would be caused to the respondents if the petitioner's representation dated 17.11.2025 is considered in accordance with law within the time frame to be fixed by this Court.

3.Mr.D.Ravichender, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondents.

4.This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's representation. For the foregoing reasons, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the 1st respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's representation dated 17.11.2025 seeking for payment of interest for the alleged delay in payment of the entire compensation amount to the petitioner in respect of the lands acquired from him which is the subject matter of this Writ Petition within a period of twelve weeks

from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. However, there shall be no order as to costs.

02-03-2026 Index: Yes/No (1/6) Speaking/Non-speaking order GSA To

1. The District Collector Cum Land Acquisition Officer Chinna Salem Kallakurichi New Broad Gauge Railway Line Project Kallakurichi District.

2. The District Revenue Officer Kallakurichi Kallakurichi District New Broad Gauge Railway Line Project Kallakurichi.

3. The Special Tahsildar Land Acquisition Chinna Salem Kallakurichi New Broad Gauge Railway Line Project Southern Railway, Office Of The Tahsildar, Kallakurichi Taluk And District.

ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.

GSA 02.03.2026 (1/6)