The Secretary v. Raja
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN WMP Nos. 23598, 22743 of 2025, 20063 of 2024 and Rev. Aplw No.56 of 2024 in WP NO. 19286 OF 2021 WMP No.23598 of 2025 The Secretary Revenue Department Secretariat, Chennai-09 and 6 Others Petitioner(s) Vs RAJA S/o.Ramasamy, No.16-b, Draupathy Amman Koil Street, Sothupakkam, Cheyyur Taluk, Kanchipuram District- 603 319.
Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s):
Mr.J.Ravindran Additional Advocate General Assisted By Mr.M.Habeeb Rahman Government Advocate
For Respondent(s):
Mr.M.Purusothaman (amicus Curiae) * * * * *
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Though two applications have been filed by the State, one numbered as WMP.No.23598 of 2025 and the other as WMP No.22743 of 2025, for the present, learned Additional Advocate General presses the application in WMP No.23598 of 2025 wherein permission has been sought to use 14.17.00 hectares out of 34.05.05 hectares reserved for grazing purposes for the purpose of utilisation and construction of National Forensic Science University.
2. In the application seeking permission, viz., WMP No.23598 of 2025, earlier, another piece of land of equivalent area situated in Kurichi Village of Bhavani Taluk, Erode District, in Survey No.433/1, was proposed as alternative site, which this Court did not find appropriate because of the distance and therefore, the State was
directed to explore the availability of an equivalent area of any other parcel of land which could be used for grazing.
3. By way of an additional affidavit, now the State proposes to set apart equivalent area, i.e., 14.17.00 hectares of alternative site in S.No.188 of Kattudevathur Village and S.Nos.409 and 405, Madurantakam Taluk, Chengalpattu District, 'Kundru' and 'Kallankuthu' respectively, as grazing land/grass land. We also find that an inspection by the Joint Committee of Revenue and Animal Husbandry and Forests Departments was conducted and a report has been prepared. According to the report, such a proposal is acceptable even to the Animal Husbandry and Forests Department.
4. Learned Amicus would submit that the land which is now offered as alternative site is not in the near vicinity but away from the present place and it would have been better that the State comes out with some other land in the near vicinity.
5. Having considered the submission of learned counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the order passed by the Supreme
Court and also the purpose for which the land is required to be taken, coupled with the distance of the land which is now proposed as alternative site, we are inclined to grant permission.
6. Accordingly, permission as sought in WMP No.23598 of 2025 for using 14.17.00 hectares of land situated in S.No.104 of Keelakottaiyur Village and S.No.404 of Kolathur Village, Vandalur Taluk, Chengalpattu Village, for the purpose of construction of National Forensic Science University is granted. WMP.No.23598 of 2025 is ordered accordingly.
7. It is made clear that the land which is now being reserved as grass land as an alternative site set apart for the purpose in the other village namely No.188, Kattudevathur Village, S.Nos.409 and 405, Madurantakam Taluk, Chengalpattu District, classified as Government poramboke and 'Kundru & Kallankuthu' respectively shall remain reserved for grass land and shall not be allowed to be converted for any other purpose.
8. A copy of this order be sent to the Tahsildar, Madurantakam Taluk, Chengalpattu District, for making necessary entries in the revenue records to this effect.
List the other matters, viz., WMP No.22743 of 2025, 20063 of 2024 and Rev.Aplw. No.56 of 2024 on 04.09.2025. (MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ.) (SUNDER MOHAN, J.) 28.08.2025 Note: Copy of this order to be sent to The Tahsildar, Madurantakam Taluk, Chengalpattu District.
sra
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND SUNDER MOHAN, J.
(sra) WMP No.23598 of 2025, etc.
in WP No.19286 of 2021 28.08.2025