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Madras High CourtWP/44307/2025disposed of

M.R.Palaniraja v. Union Of India

2025-11-18Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy8 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.No.44307 of 2025 and WMP.No.49415 of 2025 1.M.R.Palaniraja

2. Subbulakshmi .. Petitioners Vs.

1. Union of India, Rep. by its Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi.

2.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District, Kancheepuram.

3.The Competent Authority and Special District Revenue Officer (LA), National Highways, Mamallapuram Puducherry Corridor, Varadharajan Street, Vedachalam Nagar, Chengalpattu.

4.The Special Tahsildar, Mamallapuram Puducherry Corridor, 1/8

Varadharajan Street, Vedachalam Nagar, Chengalpattu.

5.The Regional Officer, National Highways Authority Of India, P.I.U. Chennai, Sri Tower, 3rd Floor, Developed Plots-34, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

.. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd Respondent to furnish the copy of the Award in respect of 3A notification dated 06.06.2018 to the extent of lands in survey No.241/10A 379 Sq. meter and 241/10B 123 Sq. Meter situated at Mugaiyur Village, Cheyyur Taluk, Chengalpattu District. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Raja Sekhar For Respondents : Mr.A.Muraleedharan (R1) Senior Panel Counsel Mr.M.R.Gopalakrishnan (R2 to R4) Additional Government Pleader Mrs.S.R.Sumathy(R5) Standing Counsel ***

ORDER

Mr.A.Muralidharan, learned Senior Panel Counsel takes notice in behalf of the 1st respondent. Mr.M.R.Gokulakrishnan, learned Additional 2/8

Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondents 2 to 4. Mrs.S.R.Sumathy, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the 5th respondent. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition itself is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2. This Writ Petition has been filed seeking direction to the 2nd Respondent to furnish the copy of the Award in respect of 3A notification dated 06.06.2018 to the extent of lands in Survey No.241/10A 379 Sq. meter and 241/10B 123 Sq. Meter situated at Mugaiyur Village, Cheyyur Taluk, Chengalpattu District.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is the owner of the subject lands and the same were acquired by the respondents for the purpose of Mahabalipuram Puducherry Express Highway. While so, a sum of Rs.58,43,209.02/- was transferred to the petitioner's account on 17.01.2025 and only thereafter, the petitioner came to know that the Award has been passed by the respondents, with respect to the acquired lands. Further, he would submit that neither Pre-Award notice was issued to the petitioner nor enquiry was conducted before passing the Award. 3/8

That apart, the copy of the said Award has not been furnished to him. In this regard, he made a representation to the respondents 2 and 3 on 21.10.2025, to furnish copy of the Award passed in respect of his acquired lands. Since no action has been taken on the said representation, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition.

4. Learned counsel appearing for the 5th respondent after verifying with the 5th respondent, would submit that the said respondent is not in a position to ascertain as to whether the Award has been served on the petitioner or not. Further, she would submit that the Award was not communicated to the petitioner, and if the petitioner intends to challenge the same, he ought to have challenged the Award within a period of limitation. But without doing so, the petitioner submitted a representation after nine months i.e., on 21.10.2025 i.e.,after the period of limitation that too seeking copy of the Award and now the limitation period was already over. She therefore prays for appropriate orders.

5. Heard both sides. Perused the records.

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6.As rightly contended by the learned counsel appearing for the 5th respondent, the 5th respondent is not in a position to prove that the Award copy was communicated to the petitioner on or before 17.01.2025 and in case the petitioner intends to challenge the same, he is supposed to have challenged the same, within a prescribed period of limitation. However, since the petitioner requested for a copy of the award by virtue of the representation dated 21.10.2025, the concerned respondent may be directed to furnish the copy of the Award to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, this Court directs the 3rd respondent to serve the copy of the Award passed in respect of 3A notification dated 06.06.2018, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Therefore, the petitioners are directed to challenge the Award within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. WMP.No.49415 of 2025 filed to permit the petitioners to file the single Writ Petition is ordered subject to payment of separate Court fee. 18.11.2025 arr/mbi 5/8

Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Note: Registry is directed to issue order copy after ensuring the payment of court fee ordered by this Court.

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To

1. The Secretary, Union of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi.

2.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District, Kancheepuram.

3.The Competent Authority and Special District Revenue Officer (LA), National Highways, Mamallapuram Puducherry Corridor, Varadharajan Street, Vedachalam Nagar, Chengalpattu.

4.The Special Tahsildar, Mamallapuram Puducherry Corridor, Varadharajan Street, Vedachalam Nagar, Chengalpattu.

5.The Regional Officer, National Highways Authority Of India, P.I.U. Chennai, Sri Tower, 3rd Floor, Developed Plots-34, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J., arr/mbi W.P.No.44307 of 2025 18.11.2025 8/8