Devaki v. The District Collector

THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12.09.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.A.No. 2280 of 2022 1.Devaki 2.Revaty 3.Karthikeyan 4.Pushpa 5.D.Shanthi ...Appellants Vs.

1.The District Collector, Villupuram.

2.The Special Tahsildar, Adhi Dravidar Welfare Scheme, Ulundurpettai, Villupuram District.

3.Kasthuri 4.Sundaram 5.Shanmugam

...Respondents

PRAYER: The Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent praying to set aside the order dated 15.06.2022 in W.P.No.3812 o f2016 and allow the Writ Petition as prayed for.

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For Appellants : Mrs.R.Thenamirtha Shyamala For Respondents : Mr.Vadivelu Deenadayalan, Addl. Govt. Pleader for RR1 and 2 RR3 to 5 - No appearance ******

J U D G M E N T

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The writ order dated 15.06.2022 in W.P.No.3812 of 2016 is under challenge in the present Writ Appeal.

2. It is not in dispute between the parties that the acquisition proceedings commenced in the year 1996 under the The Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Harijan Welfare Schemes Act, 1978 and an award was passed on 09.12.1996. The grievances of the appellants are that the quantum of award is not incommensurate with the market value of the subject property acquired. That apart, the procedures as contemplated under the Act were not followed. The fact remains that the acquisition proceedings were completed in all respects and the lands acquired were distributed to the landless poor Adi Dravidar people, more specifically for 100 beneficiaries.

3. The learned counsel for the appellants in all fairness would submit that 2/5

they are not intending to resume the land, but seeking enhancement of the compensation.

4. If so, the appellants ought to have approached the competent Court / Authority seeking enhancement of compensation in the manner known to law. The grounds relating to the allegations of non-adherence of the procedures under the old Land Acquisition Act cannot be entertained at this length of time, since the acquisition proceedings ended long back and the lands acquired were distributed to 100 beneficiaries. However, it is for the appellants to approach the appropriate forum seeking compensation, if permissible under law.

5. With the above observations, the Writ Appeal stands dismissed. No costs.

(S.M.S., J.) (C.S.N., J.) 12.09.2025 dsa Index :Yes/No :Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To:

1.The District Collector, 3/5

Villupuram.

2.The Special Tahsildar, Adhi Dravidar Welfare Scheme, Ulundurpettai, Villupuram District.

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S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

and C.SARAVANAN, J.

dsa W.A.No. 2280 of 2022 12.09.2025 5/5