N.Dhandapani v. The Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated : 11.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 9870 of 2026 & W.M.P.No. 10637 of 2026 N.Dhandapani
...Petitioners
Vs.
1.The Government of TamilNadu Rep by Joint Commissioner Commissionerate of Land Administration Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005
2) The District Collector Kancheepuram District Kancheepuram- 631 502
3) The Special Tahsitdar (LA) SIPCOT DATCIT Division Oragadam, Irungattukottai Pillaipakkam Kancheepuram District - 602 117
...Respondents
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Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records in Impugned order in Letter.Na.Ka.No.11/2023 DATCIT Division Dated 05.08.2025 passed by the 3rd respondent herein, and quash the same and direct the respondents to provide employment to the petitioner son D.Dayanand aged about 38 years and is a Graduate, in a Public Sector Undertaking or in a Government Department in a Supervisory Category Commensurate to his qualification as contemplated under G.O.Ms.No.656 Labour and Employment Department Dated 29.06.1978.
For Petitioners :
Mr. S.Sadasharam For Respondents :
Mr. P.Ganesan Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To call for the records in Impugned order in Letter.Na.Ka.No.11/2023 DATCIT Division Dated 05.08.2025 passed by the 3rd respondent herein, and quash 2/8
the same and direct the respondents to provide employment to the petitioner son D.Dayanand aged about 38 years and is a Graduate, in a Public Sector Undertaking or in a Government Department in a Supervisory Category Commensurate to his qualification as contemplated under G.O.Ms.No.656 Labour and Employment Department Dated 29.06.1978. "
2. It is the case of the petitioner that an extent of 1.69 acres of land classified as dry manawari land belonging to the petitioner was acquired by the 3rd respondent and a compensation was awarded on 14.12.2001 in Award No.7 of 2001. However, the amount has not been paid and the application under Section 18 seeking enhanced compensation is pending before the Sub Court, Kancheepuram.
3. The petitioner would submit that since he is the person displaced during land acquisition, he made a representation on 22.05.2025, seeking appointment for his son who is a graduate and eligible to be appointed as per GO.Ms.No.656 dated 29.06.1978. 3/8
However, the said request was turned down by the 3rd respondent vide the impugned order.
4. Mr.S.Sadasharam, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that Clause 2 (1) of GO.No.656 directed that at least one member of the family who have been displaced on account of acquisition proceedings could be provided with employment opportunity in public sector undertaking without reference to employment exchange. He would further submit that the petitioner had taken out an application under Section 24 (1) (a) and 24 (2) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for enhancing compensation granted in Award No.7 of 2001. Since that request was not considered, the petitioner had filed WP.No.7208 of 2023, seeking disposal of the said application within a time frame. This Court by order dated 18.08.2023 was pleased to allow the said writ petition.
5. Thereafter, in the light of the provisions of GO.No.656, the petitioner had sought employment for his son. However, through the 4/8
impugned order the 3rd respondent has rejected the said request by stating that the petitioner is only entitled to compensation. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.
6. Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the papers.
7. A reading of GO.Ms.No.656 would indicate that at least one member of the family whose lands have been acquired by reason of which the family had become displaced would be entitled to get an employment provided that the land is the only source of sustenance for the family. However, a very perusal of the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition would clearly demonstrate that the petitioner was not dependent on lands alone as he was employed in the transport corporation from where he had retired only in the year 2007. There is no explanation as to why the request for employment was not made immediately.
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8. The lands have been acquired as early as in the year 2001 and the petitioner has come forward with the request for employment to his son 24 years thereafter. Therefore, the claim of the petitioner is hit by laches and the writ petition is dismissed. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.
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To 1.The Government of TamilNadu Rep by Joint Commissioner Commissionerate of Land Administration Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005
2) The District Collector Kancheepuram District Kancheepuram- 631 502
3) The Special Tahsitdar (LA) SIPCOT DATCIT Division Oragadam, Irungattukottai Pillaipakkam Kancheepuram District - 602 117 7/8
P.T. ASHA, J kan W.P.No. 9870 of 2026 11.03.2026 8/8