D.Sathiyananthan v. The District Collector
2024:MHC:2436
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 21.06.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.SUNDAR and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI D.Sathiyananthan S/o.Devendran ... petitioner Vs.
1.
The District Collector Tiruvannamalai.
2.
The Tahsildar Polur Tiruvannamalai District.
3.
The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Panchayat Union Polur, Tiruvannamalai District.
4.
The Panchayat President Mukkurumbai Panchayat Tiruvannamalai District.
5.
Vijaya W/o.B.Sankar ... Respondents Page Nos.1/8
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent Nos.1 to 4 to remove the illegal encroachment of Panchayat Road in Survey No.234/11 of Mukkurumbai Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District made by the respondent No.5.
For Petitioner :
Mr.B.M.Subash For Respondents :
Mr.P.Balathandayutham Special Government Pleader for R1 and R2 Mr.G.Ameedius Government Advocate for R3 and R4
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by M.SUNDAR, J.,] This order will now dispose of the captioned 'Writ Petition' ['WP' for the sake of brevity].
2. Mr.B.M.Subash, learned counsel on record for writ petitioner is before us.
Page Nos.2/8
3. Adverting to online complaint from the writ petitioner dated 09.01.2023, learned counsel submitted that there is alleged encroachment in 'Survey No.234/11 of Mukkurumbai Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District' [hereinafter 'said land' for the sake of convenience and clarity] by R5 before us. To be noted, R5 is a private respondent.
4. Considering the obtaining position, we are of the view that the captioned WP can be disposed of by ordering notice to official respondents (R1 to R4) and putting in a safety valve / adequate protection qua private respondent i.e., R5.
5. Issue notice to official respondents i.e., R1 to R4.
6. Mr.P.Balathandayutham, learned Special Government Pleader accepts notice for R1 & R2. Mr.G.Ameedius, learned Government Advocate accepts notice for R3 and R4.
Page Nos.3/8
7. In the light of what has been alluded to supra and considering the limited scope of the captioned WP, with the consent of both sides, main WP was taken up.
8. It was submitted by learned Special Government Pleader that G.O.(Ms)No.64, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Disposal Wing, dated 08.02.2022 has been put in place, wherein and whereby Divisional Monitoring committee, District Monitoring Committee and State Steering Committee have been constituted inter alia for a single point reporting / monitoring system qua Government lands.
9. In the light of the narrative thus far, we deem it appropriate to refer the matter to the Divisional Monitoring Committee headed by Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Tiruvannamalai, in the light of G.O.(Ms)No.64, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Disposal Wing, dated 08.02.2022.
Page Nos.4/8
10. This Court directs the jurisdictional Divisional Monitoring Committee to examine if there is encroachment qua said land. The Divisional Monitoring Committee shall also ensure that adequate and ample opportunity is given to persons concerned more particularly alleged encroacher (R5) before taking a call. In this regard, we are acutely conscious that the matter is being disposed of in Admission Board without notice to alleged encroacher and therefore, this safety valve is put in place. To be noted, all the rights and contentions of alleged encroacher are preserved for being raised before the Committee concerned which shall consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with law untrammeled by this proceedings in this Court.
11. The Divisional Monitoring Committee qua G.O.(Ms)No.64, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Disposal Wing, dated 08.02.2022, shall (if it comes to the conclusion that there is encroachment) report the encroachment for further action (for removal of encroachment which again shall be after giving adequate and ample opportunity to alleged encroacher).
Page Nos.5/8
12. It is open to the WP petitioner and or anyone concerned with this matter to come to this Court on the same issue even with a similar / same prayer if there are any change of circumstances.
13. We make it clear that we are not expressing any view or opinion as to whether there is encroachment or not qua said land as it turns on facts and it is for the Divisional Monitoring Committee to take a call on this aspect of the matter.
14. Captioned WP is disposed of with the aforementioned observations and directives in the aforesaid manner. There shall be no order as to costs.
(M.S.,J.) (K.G.T.,J.) 21.06.2024 Index : Yes Speaking mk Page Nos.6/8
To 1.
The District Collector Tiruvannamalai.
2.
The Tahsildar Polur Tiruvannamalai District.
3.
The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Panchayat Union Polur, Tiruvannamalai District.
4.
The Panchayat President Mukkurumbai Panchayat Tiruvannamalai District.
5.
The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruvannamalai.
Page Nos.7/8
M.SUNDAR, J., and K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI, J., mk 21.06.2024 Page Nos.8/8