Dhanalakshmi v. The Special District Revenue Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 02-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE and W.M.P. No.7387 of 2026 1.
Dhanalakshmi W/o. Periyasamy, 290B, 321/2, LRC New Gandhinagar, Paithoor Road, kudagu, Saibaba Kovil Near, Attur, Salem -636 102.
2.
Aasaimani S/o. Angamuthu, 78, Mariyamman Kovil Street, Appammasamudram (po), Thennankudipalayam, Salem -636108.
3.
Vasantha W/o. Thangavel Aasari, South Street, Thennankudipalayam, Attur, Salem-636 108.
..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.
The Special District Revenue Officer, (Land Acquisition), The Competent Authority Land Acquisition, National highways-68 Power House Colony, Opposite to Iyyappan Kovil, Krishnagiri -635 001.
2.
The Project Officer, National Highways Authority of India-68, Salem. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER - This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent No.1 to disburse the statutory entitlement namely 30% solatium with interest till the day of payment, in the light of judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Union of India and Another Vs Tarsem Singh and others, in Civil Appeal No.7064 of 2019 by considering petitioner's representation dated 17.12.2025 within time frame.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr. K.Sudhakar For Respondent(s):
Mr.D.Ravichander, Special Government Pleader (for R1) Mr.S.Srinivasan, Standing Counsel (for R2)
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the 1st respondent to disburse the 30% solatium amount with interest till the date of payment to the petitioner in the light of judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Union of India and Another Vs Tarsem Singh and others, rendered in Civil Appeal No.7064 of 2019 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 17.12.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. 2.Admittedly the lands morefully described in the affidavit filed in support of the Writ Petition belonging to the petitioner were acquired by the respondents under the National Highways Act, 1956. The petitioner's grievance is that the solatium amount together with interest as per the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Union of India and Another Vs
Tarsem Singh and others rendered in Civil Appeal No.7064 of 2019 has not been paid till date. The petitioner had given a representation for the said purpose to the respondents on 17.12.2025. Since the same was not considered, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition.
3.Mr.D.Ravichander, Special Government Pleader takes notice for the 1st respondent and Mr.S.Srinivasan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for R2. 4.The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent, on instructions, would submit that even though the judgment rendered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No.7064 of 2019 enures to the benefit of the petitioner with regard to the payment of solatium along with interest, the said judgment is the subject matter of Review before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in R.P. (C).No.2528 of 2025 in M.A.No.1773 of 2021 in C.A.No.7064 of 2019. He would submit that the said Review Petition was heard by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and orders have been reserved by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 23.02.2026.
However, it is an admitted fact that as on date, the judgment rendered in Civil Appeal No.7064 of 2019 in the case of Union of India and Another Vs Tarsem Singh and others which stands entitles the petitioner for payment of 30% solatium along with interest, though the said judgment may be before the Hon'ble Supreme Court for review as stated supra.
respondents to pay the solatium and interest to the petitioner as prayed for in this Writ Petition by making it clear, that the said payment if made is subject to the outcome of the Review Petition filed by the 2nd respondent before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India as stated supra. 5.Accordingly, the respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.12.2025 seeking for disbursement of the 30% solatium amount and the applicable interest based on the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India rendered in Civil Appeal No.7064 of 2019 in the case of Union of India and Another Vs Tarsem Singh and others, subject to the result of the Review Petition filed by the petitioner.
It is made clear that if the Review Petition filed by the 2nd respondent is dismissed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, the solatium and the applicable interest amount payable to the petitioner shall be paid to the petitioner within a period of four weeks from the date of dismissal of the Review Petition by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. 6.With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
To 1.
The Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquisition), The Competent Authority Land Acquisition, National highways-68 Power House Colony, Opposite to Iyyappan Kovil, Krishnagiri -635 001.
2.
The Project Officer, National Highways Authority of India-68, Salem.
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.
GSA and W.M.P. No.7387 of 2026 02-03-2026