L.K.Manickam v. The State Rep By Its
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10-03-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY L.K.Manickam, S/o Loganathan Chettiyar, Old Door No E-86 New No 25, Anna Colony, 2nd Street, Besant Nagar, Chennai 90.
Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The State Rep By Its Secretary And Government Highways And Minor, Port Department, Fort Chennai 09.
2.The Commissioner, Land Acquisition Administration Department, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.
3.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Kancheepuram District, Kancheepuram.
4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurantakam, Chengelput District.
5.Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Limited, Rep By Its Director - In - Charge, Sindur Pantheon Place, 2nd Floor No346 Panthron Road, Egmore, Chennai 08 6.The Tahsildar Taluk Office, Cheyyur Respondent(s)
PRAYER:-Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for an issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to return the unutilized land in an extent of 2.65 acres situated in survey No. 209 / 3B, 209/4 Vilambur (Panaiyur border) Cheyyar Taluk, Kancheepuram District by changing the Classification of ECR Poramboke to in the name of the legal heirs of Mr.Loganathan Chettiyar.
For Petitioner(s):
Ms.G.Selvi George For Respondent:
Mrs.S.Indhu Bala Additional Government Pleader For R1 to R4 & R6
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents to return the unutilized land in an extent of 2.65 acres situated in survey No. 209 / 3B, 209/4 Vilambur (Panaiyur border) Cheyyar Taluk, Kancheepuram District by changing the Classification of ECR Poramboke to in the name of the legal heirs of Mr.Loganathan Chettiyar.
2.Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the land to an extent of 2.65 acres situated in Survey Nos.209/3B, 209/4 was the absolute property of the petitioner's father late Loganathan Chettiyar. The said land was acquired for the purpose of ECR, Geometric correction in the year 1999 and thereafter in the year 2002, for the purpose of straightening the curved portion.
While so, since some portion of the land was left unutilized after completing the road widening project, the petitioner in the capacity of the legal heir of his father made a representation on 27.07.2018 to the 1st respondent and to the District Collector, Kanchipuram requesting to return the unutilized land. Till date, the said representation was not considered by the respondents. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.
3.Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and 6 would submit that since the land acquired from the petitioner's father late Loganathan Chettiyar was classified as ECR Poramboke, the unutilized land cannot be returned to the legal heirs of the petitioner's father and hence, it was reverted to the Government.
4.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and 6. 5.As rightly contended by the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and 6, since the land acquired from the petitioner's father falls under the classification of ECR Poramboke, the unutilized land cannot be returned to the legal heirs of the petitioner's father. However, considering the plea of the petitioner that the subject land was used for the agricultural purpose by the petitioner and if the same is not returned, the
livelihood of the petitioner will get affected, this Court directs the respondents to consider this aspect and dispose of the representation if any filed by the petitioner seeking for reconveyance of unutilized land. 6.In view of the above, this Court is of the view that the present writ petition is devoid of merits and accordingly, this writ petition stands dismissed. No costs.
10-03-2026 rst Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes
To 1.Secretary And Government Highways And Minor Port Department, Fort Chennai 09.
2.The Commissioner, Land Acquisition Administration Department, Chepauk Chennai 600 005.
3.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Kancheepuram District, Kancheepuram.
4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurantakam, Chengelput District.
5.Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Limited Rep By Its Director - In - Charge Sindur Pantheon Place, 2nd Floor No346 Panthron Road, Egmore, Chennai 08 6.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Cheyyur.
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.
rst 10-03-2026