The Area Engineer v. K.Vanniyarajan And 15 Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE in CS NO. 123 OF 2025 The Area Engineer Zone XIII, Office of the Water Supply and Sewage Board, Indra Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020. ..Applicant(s) Vs

1. K.Vanniyarajan and 15 others S/o.Kasirajan, No.70A, Kamarajar Street, Anna Nagar, Tharamani, Chennnai - 600 113.

2. D.Ezekeil S/o.David, No.76, Kamarajar Street, Anna Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai - 600 113.

3. The Residents of Block No.3 Tharamani Town, Velachery Taluk, Taramani, Chennai - 600 113. Rep. by the plaintiffs 1 and 2 K.Vanniyarajan and D.Ezekeil.

4. Mrs.M.Ranjitham W/o.Murugeshan, No.255, Anna Street, Tharamani, Chennai - 600 113.

5. Mr.M.Saravanan S/o.Murugeshan, No.255, Anna Street, Tharamani, Chennai - 600 113.

6. The State rep.by its Secretary Revenue Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

7. The State Rep.by its Secretary Municipal Administration Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Fort, St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

8. The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Rippon Building, Chennai - 600 003.

9. The Asst Commissioner Zone XIII, Greater Chennai Corporation, LB Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.

10.The Zonal Engineer Zone XIII, Greater Chennai Corporation, LVB Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.

11.The District Collector Chennai District, Singaravelar Maligai, George Town, chennai - 600 001.

12.The District Revenue Officer Chennai District, Singaravelar Maligai, George Town, Chennai - 600 001.

13.The Tahsildar Velachery Taluk, Gandhi Road, Seva Nagar, Chennai - 600 042.

14.Mr.Gopala Krishnan S/o.Ethiraj, No.48, Krishna Street, 100 Feet Road, Anna Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai - 600113.

15.Mr.D.Joseph S/o.David, No.76, Kamarajar Street, Anna Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai - 600 113.

16.The Anna Nagar People Welfare Sangam Tharamani, Rep. by its Secretary, Mr.S.Paramanathan, Having office at, No.16-A, MGR Street, Anna Nagar, Tharamani, Velachery Taluk, Chennai - 600 113.

..Respondent(s) Prayer : This application has been filed to condone the delay of 35 days in filing the Written Statement in C.S.No.123 of 2025. For Applicant(s):

Mr.Jerry V.V.Sundar For Respondent(s):

Ms. K.S.Ritika , for Ms. P.T.Ramadevi, for R5 to R7 Ms.T.Saranya, for R8

ORDER

This application has been filed by the 8th defendant seeking to condone the delay of 35 days in filing the written statement in C.S.No.123 of 2025.

2. The learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the copies of the plaint and connected papers were served to the 8th defendant on 19.06.2025. Being a departmental authority, the applicant have to obtain instructions and approval from the concerned Area Engineer and collect relevant records from various sections for the proper preparation of the written statement. Due to these administrative formalities, a delay of 35 days occurred in filing the written statement. Hence, the applicant seeks to condone the said delay.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 3/plaintiffs submitted that they have no objection for allowing this application and has also made an endorsement to that effect.

4. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also taking note of the no objection given by the learned counsel for the respondents 1 to 3/plaintiffs, and being satisfied with the reasons stated in the affidavit filed in support of this application, this Court is inclined to condone the delay.

5. Accordingly, the delay of 35 days in filing the written statement by the applicant/8th defendant is condoned and this application is ordered. 12-03-2026 1/2 MRP

DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.

MRP IN CS NO. 123 OF 2025 1/2 12-03-2026