M.S.Chengal Raju v. The Commissioenr Of Land Administration,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11.01.2024 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
1. M.S.Chengal Raju
2. Ramakrishnama Raju
3. N.Subramani Raju
4. K.Mohan Raju
5. Narasa Raju
6. Narayanamm
7. K.Easwari
8. K.Mani
9. N.Rajesh
10. N.Subramaniyan
11. D.Babu
12. R.Mohan Raju
13. Venkataramaraju
14. M.Vijaya
15. N.Dhanamjayulu
16. A.Venkatesulu
17. D.Praveena
18. M.Chandra Raju
19. Nagan Elumalai
20. K.Poornachandra Raju
21. M.Ramachandran
22. K.Mahadavan
23. M.Somu
24. M.Babu
25. S.Babu
26. Ramya
27. Yasvanth
28. K.C.Subramani
29. D.Venkatarama Raju
30. Sankara Raju
31. K.Chensurama Raju
32. Krishnamoorthy
33. S.Suresh
34. Subramani
35. K.C.Mani
36. Shoba ..
Petitioners Vs.
1. The Commissioner of Land Administration Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
2. The Principal Secretary and commissioner Survey and Settlement Department Chepauk, Chennai - 600005.
3. The District Collector Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
4. The District Forest Officer (DFO) Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
5. The Forest Range Officer Gummidipondi Forest Range Madarpakkam Village & Post Pin code - 601 202 Thiruvallur District.
6. The Tahsildar Gummidipoondi Taluk
Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
7. The Block Development Officer (BDO) Gummidipoondi Union and Taluk Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
..
Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus, directing the first respondent herein to rectify the error or mistake committed while resettlement by reclassifying the land in S.No.101/3 in Eguvarpalayam Village, Gummidipoondi Taluk, Tiruvallur District as "KAL MEDU" (Rathi Boomilu) instead of "Reserve Forest" in the 'A' Register by considering the joint representation of the petitioner dated 18.03.2023. For the Petitioners : Mr.R.S.Anandan For the Respondents : Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3, R6 and R7 Mr.J.Ravindran Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.S.J.Mohd. Sathik Government Advocate (Forest) for R4 and R5
ORDER
(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard Mr.R.S.Anandan, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr.A.Selvendran, learned Special Government Pleader for respondents 1 to 3, 6 and 7 and Mr.J.Ravindran, learned Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.S.J.Mohd. Sathik, learned Government
Advocate (Forest) for respondents 4 and 5.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that representation has been given for correction of mistake in the reclassification of land in S.No.101/3 in Eguvarpalayam Village, Gummidipoondi Taluk, Tiruvallur District. The representation is given on 18.03.2022.
3. Learned Additional Advocate General submits that the land encroachment eviction notice, under Section 68-A of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, is already issued to the petitioners on 18.11.2023.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that reply has been filed to the said notice.
5. The notice dated 18.11.2023, issued by the Forest Range Officer, is a show-cause notice and the same will have to be decided on its own merits, considering the reply filed by the petitioners. The petitioners can raise all possible defense available to them by filing a
reply to the show-cause notice.
6. As far as reclassification of the land is concerned, it is for the first respondent to consider the same on its own merits and if such application is filed, the first respondent shall consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with the law and policy.
7. In light of the above, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, W.M.P.Nos.531 and 532 of 2024 are closed.
(S.V.G., CJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 11.01.2024 Index :
Yes/No :
Yes/No drm
To
1. The Commissioner of Land Administration Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
2. The Principal Secretary and commissioner Survey and Settlement Department Chepauk, Chennai - 600005.
3. The District Collector Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
4. The District Forest Officer (DFO) Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
5. The Forest Range Officer Gummidipondi Forest Range Madarpakkam Village & Post Pin code - 601 202 Thiruvallur District.
6. The Tahsildar Gummidipoondi Taluk Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
7. The Block Development Officer (BDO) Gummidipoondi Union and Taluk Thiruvallur District - 601 201.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
(drm) 11.01.2024