M.Rajendran (Deceased) v. The Principal Court
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 23.09.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN 1.M.Rajendran (deceased) 2.R.Vanaja 3.R.Rajiniganth 4.R.Rajeetha (P2 to P4 are substituted as LRs of deceased P1, as per order dated 12.11.2024 in W.M.P.No.26710 of 2021 in W.P.No.5526 of 2019) .....
Petitioners Vs 1.The Principal Court, Vellore.
2.The Special Tahsildar, (Land Acquisition) Naval Air Station Project, Unit-5, Ranipet, Vellore District.
....
Respondents Prayer :
Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to pay the petitioner the difference amount of interest Rs.8,15,179.87/- as per calculation memo.
For Petitioner : Mr.K.V.Aanthakrushnan For R1 : Court For R2 : Mr.T.Arunkumar Additional Government Pleader 1/6
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to pay the differential amount of interest of Rs.8,15,179.87/- in respect of the deposit made in the LAOP No.22 of 1988 on the file of the Special Subordinate Judge, Arakkonam, Vellore District, as per the calculation memo.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
3. After acquisition of the subject land, an award was passed and fixed compensation at Rs.75/- per cent for dry land and Rs.170/- per cent for wet land. Aggrieved by the same, objections were raised and a reference was made under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, which was taken on filed as LAOP No.22 of 1988. The Reference Court enhanced the compensation to Rs.450/- per cent for Nanja land and Rs.375/- per cent for Manavari dry land. Thereafter, some of the land owners approached this Court seeking enhancement of compensation. In a batch of Appeal Suits, this Court fixed the compensation at Rs.750/- per cent for all categories of land, which was subsequently confirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. In view of the above, this Court ordered 2/6
compensation at Rs.750/- per cent, irrespective of the category and character of the land, in favour of the petitioner. Pursuant to the order passed by the Subordinate Court in LAOP No.22 of 1998, dated 22.04.1988, the respondents were directed to deposit a sum of Rs.66,388.90/- before the Subordinate Court.
4. According to the case of the petitioners, the amount deposited was not kept in the nationalised bank and was also not renewed every two years and therefore, the petitioners claimed on the said amount. After acquisition of the subject land, the petitioners were paid the compensation. In the meantime, the amount was deposited in Canara Bank and was renewed periodically. The grievance of the petitioner is that the Court ought to have redeposited the amount immediately after maturity, along with accrued interest, and that the failure to do so resulted in a loss of interest to the tune of Rs.8,15,179.87/-.
5. A perusal of the calculation memo filed by the petitioners reveals that the award amount, after enhancement, was deposited on 12.10.1988 for a period of three years and was renewed periodically. After maturity, the amount was redeposited in the same bank as fixed deposit. Thereafter, on 30.04.2002, a sum of Rs.2,21,487/- was deposited with the 3/6
Tamil Nadu Industrial Co-operative Bank, Vellore. Subsequently, on 14.09.2012, the maturity amount of Rs.4,68,600/- was deposited with UCO Bank, Vellore. Therefore, the respondents are not liable to pay any interest and the petitioners are not entitled to the claim of additional interest.
6. In view of the foregoing reasons, this writ petition is devoid of merits and is liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. However, the second respondent is directed to enhance the compensation at the rate of Rs.750/- per cent, along with interest and solatium, after deducting the amount which was already paid, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioners are at liberty to file an appropriate application for withdrawal of the amount. No costs.
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To 1.The Principal Court, Vellore.
2.The Special Tahsildar, (Land Acquisition) Naval Air Station Project, Unit-5, Ranipet, Vellore District.
5/6
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
Lpp (1/3) 23.09.2025 6/6