M/S.Sree Devi Plantations v. The Special Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 15.10.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ and C.M.P.No.1368 of 2021 M/s.Sree Devi Plantations Gudalore rep. By its Managing Partner Mr.K U. Radhakrishnan, Santhidurgam, Kovilakathumuri, Nilambur, Malappuram District, Kerala.

... Appellant Vs.

1.The Special Commissioner, Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai - 5.

2.The Director of Survey and Settlement, Chepauk, Chennai - 5.

3.The Assistant Settlement Officer, Gudalore, Nilgiris.

4.The District Forest Officer, Gudalur.

5.The Thasildar, Davela Village, Gudalur Taluk.

... Respondents

Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent against the order passed in WP SR No.107107 of 2017 dated 09.07.2019. For Appellant : Mr.K.S.Jeyaganeshan For Respondents : Mr.R.Ramanlaal, Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.T.Arunkumar, Additional Government Pleader

JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The order dated 09.07.2019 passed in W.P.SR.No.107107 of 2017 is sought to be assailed in the present intra-court appeal.

2. Writ petitioner is the appellant. Writ petition has been instituted to direct the Assistant Settlement Officer, Gudalur, Nilgiris District to complete the enquiry and pass final orders in respect of the application filed by the appellant. The authority found that the subject land has already been declared as a forest land. The learned single Judge also made a finding that W.P.No.5451 of 1989 was filed seeking the same relief.

3. The District Forest Officer, Gudalur submitted a letter dated 08.12.2016 which would show that the subject land is declared as 'forest

land' under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882. Since the subject land has already been declared as 'forest land', the writ petition has been rightly rejected by the learned single Judge.

4. This Court does not find any infirmity in respect of the order impugned in the writ appeal. Consequently, writ appeal stands dismissed. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

[S.M.S, J.] [M.S.Q, J.] 15.10.2025 Index:Yes/No mmi To 1.The Special Commissioner, Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai - 5.

2.The Director of Survey and Settlement, Chepauk, Chennai - 5.

3.The Assistant Settlement Officer, Gudalore, Nilgiris.

4.The District Forest Officer, Gudalur.

5.The Thasildar, Davela Village, Gudalur Taluk.

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

AND MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.

mmi 15.10.2025