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Madras High CourtWP/7673/2026disposed of

Thiru.Raja v. The Special District Revenue Officer

2026-03-03Honourable Mr Justice Abdul Quddhose6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE WP No. 7673 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 8283 OF 2026

1. Thiru.Raja

2. Tmt. Dhanalakshmi

3. Thiru . Ragupathi

4. Thiru Rajarajan

5. Tmt. Angammal

6. Thiru. Rajendhiran petitioners 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.

Respondents PRAYER directing the Respondent No.1, to disburse the statutory entitlement namely 30 percent solatium with interest till the day of payment, in the light of judgment of

Honble 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 petitioners' representation dated 11.12.2025 within time frame manner. For petitioners:

Mr.K.Sudhakar For Respondents:

Mr.D.Ravichander, Special Government Pleader for R1 Mr.Su.Srinivasan, Standing Counsel for R2

ORDER

WMP. No.8283 of 2026 is ordered subject to the payment of separate court fee.

2.This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the 1st respondent to disburse 30% solatium amount with interest till the date of payment to the petitioners 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 petitioners' representation dated 11.12.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. 3.Admittedly, the lands, morefully described in the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition, belonging to the petitioners, were acquired by the respondents under the National Highways Act, 1956. The petitioners' 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 petitioners had given a representation for the said purpose to the respondents on 11.12.2025. Since the same was not considered, the petitioners has filed this Writ Petition. 4.Mr.D.Ravichander, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the first respondent and Mr.Su.Srinivasan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the second respondent.

5.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 petitioners 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 entitle the petitioners for payment of 30% solatium along with interest, though the said

judgment may be reserved for orders before the Hon'ble Supreme Court for review, as stated supra.

6.No prejudice would be caused to the respondents if a direction is issued to the respondents to pay the solatium and interest to the petitioners 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 second respondent before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, as stated supra. 7.Accordingly, the respondents are directed to consider the petitioners' representation dated 11.12.2025 seeking for disbursement of 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 second respondent. 8.

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 petitioners shall be paid to the petitioners, within a period of four weeks from the date of dismissal of the Review Petition by the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

9.With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 03-03-2026 vga 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.

vga AND WMP NO. 8283 OF 2026 03-03-2026