Ranganathan v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED :16.09.2025 Coram The Honourable Mr.Justice Krishnan Ramasamy W.P.No.34889 of 2025 RANGANATHAN ..Petitioner Vs.
1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR COIMBATORE DISTRICT, COIMBATORE.
2. THE SPECIAL DISTRICT REVENUE OFFICER (LAND ACQUISITION) OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL DRO, COIMBATORE.
...Respondents
Prayer Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to sanction and disburse the land acquisition compensation award amount pertaining to the land bearing Survey No.329/1A2A (site No.15) measuring to an extent of 212.50 square meters situated at Vadavalli Village Perur Taluk, Coimbatore district, to and in favour of the petitioner and other legal heirs of late Muthan Chettiyar @ Muthusamy by considering the petitioner's representation dated 11.11.2024 and 21.03.2025 within a time to be stipulated by this Honourable Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.V.Raja For Respondents : Mrs.S.Indhu Bala Additional Government Pleader 1/5
Order Heard Mr.A.V.Raja, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mrs.S.Indhu Bala, learned Additional Government Pleader, who takes notice on behalf of the respondents. With consent, the main Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
2. This Writ Petition is filed seeking for the following relief:- i) For issuance of mandamus to respondents to sanction and disburse the land acquisition compensation award amount pertaining to the petitioner's land (morefully, described in prayer portion of this order) to and in favour of the petitioner and other legal heirs of late Muthan Chettiyar @ Muthusamy by considering the petitioner's representation dated 11.11.2024 and 21.03.2025 within a time as stipulated by this Court.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the though award was passed as early as on 31.07.2024, till date, the respondents have not disbursed any compensation despite the fact that the petitioner is ready and willing to accept the award.
4. The learned Additional Government for the respondents on 2/5
instructions from the second respondent would submit that within a period of two weeks, the award amount would be disbursed.
5. Here is a case, where, though the land owned by the petitioner was acquired by the Highways Department wayback in the year 2001, under the Land Acquisition Act, an award was passed only after two decades i.e. on 31.07.2024, and despite the fact that the petitioner is agreable to receive whatever amount fixed as compensation towards such acquisition, without any demur, it is really unfortunate that the petitioner, being a Septuagenarian (aged 60) is not able to relish the fruits of the award even after a lapse of one year. However, since it is assured by the learned Additional Government Pleader that the compensation would be disbursed to the petitioner within two weeks' time, this Court is inclined to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation in a time bound manner and to disburse the compensation without any further hassle.
6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to 3/5
the respondents to consider the representations made by the petitioner in the recent past, dated 21.03.2025 and take appropriate steps with regard to disbursal of the land acquisition compensation award amount to the petitioner, to which, the petitioner is legally entitled to, along with applicable interest, if any, in accordance with law on or before 22.10.2025 as the petitioner, being a Senior Citizen, certainly, he would be in dearth need of money to meet out his day-to-day expenses. No costs. 16.09.2025 sd Index : yes/no To
1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR COIMBATORE DISTRICT, COIMBATORE.
2. THE SPECIAL DISTRICT REVENUE OFFICER (LAND ACQUISITION) OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL DRO, COIMBATORE.
.
Krishnan Ramasamy,J., sd 4/5
W.P.No.34889 of 2025 16.09.2025 5/5