Gtl Infrastructure Ltd., v. The District Collector,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 21-05-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G. R. SWAMINATHAN and WMP.No.21792 of 2026 GTL Infrastructure Ltd., Represented by its Regional Operational Head Mr.Eswaravellan, City Centre 3rd Floor, Old No.232 and 186, Pursawalkam High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010. Now at Parade View, 2nd Floor at No.62, Rukmini Lakshmipathy Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.
Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The District Collector, Collectorate Rajaji Salai, Chennai.
2.The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Rippon Building, Chennai 600 003.
3.The Zonal Officer, The Greater Chennai Corporation zone 12, Unit 35, Division-158, Greater Chennai Corporation Naggi Reddy Thottam, Guindy, Chennai 600 032.
4.The Assistant Executive Engineer, zone -12, Unit 35, Division -158, Greater Chennai Corporation Naggi Reddy Thottam - Guindy, Chennai 600 032.
5.Neeraja, D/o.Late M.Manoharan, No.29, Mount Poonamalle Road, Nandambakkam, Chennai 600 089.
Respondent(s) Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 4th respondent to provide adequate opportunity to our company before passing any order in the proceedings of the 4th respondent in Z.O.12/C.No/Spl/Div -158/2026 dated 08/05/2026. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.Veeraraghavan For Respondent(s):
Mr.L.S.M.Hasan Fizal for R1 Additional Government Pleader Mr.Abishek Murthy for R2 to R4
ORDER
Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent and learned Standing Counsel for the respondents 2 to 4.
2.
Issuance of notice to the third respondent is dispensed with. The petitioner's cell phone tower is located on the land belonging to the fifth respondent and the fifth respondent wants the same to be dismantled. In this regard, the fifth respondent had filed a Writ Petition in W.P.No.42658 of 2025 and the said Writ Petition was disposed of on 11.11.2025. Paragraph No.6 of the said order reads as follows:
"6. In view of the limited relief sought for by the petitioner, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.06.2024 and pass appropriate orders on the same in accordance with law within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties."
3. There is no need to assume that the Chennai Corporation will not provide an opportunity to the writ petitioner before passing a final order on the fifth respondent's representation 25.06.2024. If such an order is passed without providing an opportunity, it would certainly amount to a breach of the order passed in W.P.No.42658 of 2025. In any event, however to clarify the matter, I direct the fourth respondent to give an opportunity to the writ petitioner before passing any order on the fifth respondent's representation.
4. This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
21.05.2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking Order:Yes/No dna/rka To 1.The District Collector, Collectorate Rajaji Salai, Chennai.
2.The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Rippon Building, Chennai 600 003.
3.The Zonal Officer, The Greater Chennai Corporation zone 12, Unit 35, Division-158, Greater Chennai Corporation Naggi Reddy Thottam, Guindy, Chennai 600 032.
4.The Assistant Executive Engineer, zone -12, Unit 35, Division -158, Greater Chennai Corporation Naggi Reddy Thottam - Guindy, Chennai 600 032.
G.R.SWAMINATHAN J.
and V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN J.
dna/rka and WMP.No.21792 of 2026 21.05.2026