S.Vadivelu v. The Principal Secretary

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY

1. S.Vadivelu, S/o Late G. Subramani

2. S. Padmavathi, D/o Late G. Subramani

3. S. Vimala, D/o Late G. Subramani

4. S. Gajalakshmi, D/o Late G. Subramani

5. S. Raman, S/o Late G. Subramani

6. S. Lakshmanan, S/o Late G. Subramani

7. S. Sivanandam, S/o Late G. Subramani

8. G. Mariammal, D/o Late Gangan Maistry

9. G. Saraswathi, D/o Late Gangan Maistry 10.B. Kulothungan, S/o Late G. Nagammal 11.B. Poonkodi, D/o Late G. Ngammal 12.B. Amutha, D/o Late G. Nagammal 13.B. Sivakumar, S/o Late G. Nagammal (Petitioners 1 to 13 are residing at Door No.173B, 5th Cross Road, Narmada Street Extension, Balaji Nagar, Plot No. 9, Irumpuliyur, Chennai 600 059) ..Petitioners Vs

1. The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St. George Fort, Rajaji Salai, Chennai 600 009.

2. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, 31, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

3. The Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Chindadripet, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

4. The Commissioner of Land Administriation and Reforms, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

5. The Special Tahsildar (L.A.II), Old Veerananm Water Supply Scheme (Abandoned), Chengalpet, Chengalpet District.

6. The District Collector, Chengalpet District, Chengalpet.

..Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to dispose of the petitioners' representation dated 27.10.2024 by passing the orders to re-transfer or re-convey the unused lands to an extent of 7.57 acres to the petitioner i.e. the legal heirs of late G. Kuppammal, W/o. Late. Gangan Maistry, which was acquired from the late G. Kuppammal, W/o. late Gangan Maistry under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, within the time frame as may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

For Petitioners:

Ms. G.P.Arivuchudar for M/s.Law Square For Respondents:

Mr.Abishek Murthy, Govt. Advocate for R1, R4 to R6 Ms.S.Shakila Bhanu, standing counsel for R2 Mr.Krishna Ravindran for R3

ORDER

The petitioners assert that they were the owners of about 7.57 acres in S.F.Nos.324/1 and 324/2 at 184, Karumarapakkam village. The said lands were acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Land Acquisition Act) and compensation was paid to the petitioners. On the basis that the said lands have not been put to use for any public purpose, after submitting joint representation dated 27.10.2024, the present writ petition has been filed.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the lands were being used for agriculture by the petitioners and that the petitioners are entitled to reconveyance thereof in view of the lands lying unutilised for a considerable period of time.

3. Mr.Abhishek Murthy, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice for respondents 1, 4 to 6. Ms.S.Shakila Bhanu, learned standing counsel, accepts notice for the second respondent. Mr.Krishna Ravindran, learned counsel, accepts notice for the third respondent.

4. Mr.Abhishek Murthy, learned Government Advocate, submits that the Land Acquisition Act was repealed and that the provision for reconveyance under Act 30 of 2013 is not applicable to an acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act.

5. On perusal of the affidavit, it is evident that the land acquisition proceedings were undertaken in the 1970's. It is also clear that the petitioners have received compensation. The said statute enables the utilisation of land not only for the stated purpose but for any other public purpose. At this distant point of time, the request for reconveyance cannot be countenanced. Therefore, this writ petition is dismissed without any order as to costs. 06-01-2026 Index : Yes/No (2/2) Internet:Yes/No kj To

1. The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St. George Fort, Rajaji Salai, Chennai 600 009.

2. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, 31, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

3. The Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Chindadripet, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

4. The Commissioner of Land Administration and Reforms, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

5. The Special Tahsildar (L.A.II), Old Veerananm Water Supply Scheme (Abandoned), Chengalpet, Chengalpet District.

6. The District Collector, Chengalpet District, Chengalpet.

SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.

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