M.R.Somu Alias Munien v. The Govt.Of Puducherry
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 04.09.2025
CORAM
The HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY Writ Petition No.33245 of 2025 M.R.Somu Alias Munien
...Petitioner
Vs.
1. The Govt.Of Puducherry Rep by The Secretary to the Government, Department Of Revenue & Disaster Management, Govt.Of Puducherry, Puducherry-605 001 2.The Sub Collector(Revenue )North Office Of The Sub Collector (Revenue ) North, Saram, Puducherry.
3.The Sub Registrar Puducherry Town, Puducherry.
... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to take action on the 2 Applications dt.15.6.2022 and 4.1.2023 given by him, remove the 1/8
entry of Zero in the Guideline value Register and fix Guideline Register Value for his lands bearing i)R.S.No.83/1A, measuring 00.38.60 HAC, ii) R.S.No.83/2A measuring 00.79.00 HAC iii)R.S.No.83/3A measuring 00.06.50 HAC, iv)R.S.No.83/3B, measuring 00.69.00 HAC v)R.S.No.83/3C measuring 1.82.00 HAC and vi)R.S.No.83/3D measuring 00.80.00 HAC i.e measuring in total 4.55.10 HAC-11.33 Acres situated at Ariyankuppam Village, Puducherry.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.M.Naveen For Respondents : Mr.A.Tamilvannan Additional Government Pleader ***
O R D E R
Mr.A.Tamilvannan, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents. With consent, the main Writ Petition is taken up for disposal at the stage of admission itself.
2. This Writ Petition has been filed seeking direction to the Respondent respondents to take action on the 2 Applications dt.15.6.2022 and 4.1.2023 given by him, remove the entry of Zero in the Guideline value Register and fix Guideline Register Value for his lands bearing i)R.S.No.83/1A, measuring 00.38.60 HAC, ii) R.S.No.83/2A measuring 2/8
00.79.00 HAC iii)R.S.No.83/3A measuring 00.06.50 HAC, iv)R.S.No.83/3B, measuring 00.69.00 HAC v)R.S.No.83/3C measuring 1.82.00 HAC and vi)R.S.No.83/3D measuring 00.80.00 HAC i.e measuring in total 4.55.10 HAC-11.33 Acres situated at Ariyankuppam Village, Puducherry.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is the absolute owner and possessor of large extent of lands situated at Ariyankuppam Village, Puducherry, measuring 13.59.50 Hectares = 33.58 Acres under Sale Deed dated 17.06.2022. Based on the initial request made by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Government of Puducherry has proposed to acquire the entire extent of lands from the Petitioner. However, after detailed study and analysing, the Government of Puducherry had issued Notification under Section 4(1) dated 25.07.2003 and Declaration U/s.6 dated 26.09.2003 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and acquired only an extent of 8.88.40 Hectares = 21.92 Acres(out of the total 13.59.50 Hectares =33.58 Acres). Based on the same, LAO had passed an Award, determined compensation, took possession and handed over the 3/8
lands to Archaeological Survey of India. However, as the compensation was not correctly determined, the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court vide Judgment and Decree dated 19.11.2024 made in A.S.No.237/2018 had directed the LAO to redetermine the compensation in accordance with the ancient monuments & Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
3.1.Further, he would submit that after the above acquisition proceedings, out of the total extent of 33.58 Acres, an extent of 11.66 Acres is remaining with the petitioner and he is continuing as its absolute owner and possessor. The Revenue Department had also measured, demarcated the remaining lands, sub-divided and assigned sub-division numbers and issued Patta No.887 to the petitioner. During the initial proposal for acquisition proceedings, the Guideline Register Value of all the lands of the petitioner was entered as "Zero" in the Guideline Value Register. After the acquisition was completed, the Revenue Department ought to have removed the entry of "Zero" and fixed the Guideline Register Value for the remaining lands in accordance with the prevailing market value. But they 4/8
failed to do so. Hence, the petitioner submitted application dated 15.06.2022 followed by another application 04.01.2023 in a prescribed Form and various oral representations to the 2nd respondent requesting them to remove the entry of Zero in the Guideline Register and fix Guideline Register Value for his lands. Since no action has been taken on the said representation, the petitioner is before this Court by way of the present Writ Petition.
4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents on instructions would submit that the respondents will take action of the application of the petitioner dated 04.01.2023 on merits and in accordance with law, within a stipulated period.
5. Heard both sides.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and having regard to the submissions made, without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the respondent concerned to pass orders on the application 5/8
of the petitioner dated 04.01.2023, on merits and in accordance with law, after issuing notice to the petitioner and also affording due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as well as to any of the interested parties, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and communicate the decision taken to the petitioner.
7. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
8. Post 'For Reporting Compliance' on 10.11.2025. 04.09.2025 Index : Yes / No : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No arr 6/8
To
1. The Govt.of Puducherry Rep by The Secretary to the Government, Department Of Revenue & Disaster Management, Govt.Of Puducherry, Puducherry-605 001 2.The Sub Collector(Revenue )North Office Of The Sub Collector (Revenue ) North, Saram, Puducherry.
3.The Sub Registrar Puducherry Town, Puducherry.
7/8
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.
arr Writ Petition No.33245 of 2025 04.09.2025 8/8