Sethupathy v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDER W.P.(MD)No.3664 of 2026 1.Sethupathy 2.Bangaru ... Petitioners Vs 1.The District Collector, Karur, Karur District.

2.The Special District Revenue Officer, Cauvery-Vaigai-Kundaru Linking Canal Project, Karur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein more specifically the first respondent to pass the award under Section 31 of RFCTLARR Act, 2013, for the acquired subject property as per the market value guideline (MVG) of Rs.130/- square feet prevailed at the time of issuance of notification under Section 11 of the Act within the time frame fixed by this Court. 1/6

For Petitioner : Mr.Niranjan S.Kumar For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed directing the respondents herein more specifically the first respondent to pass the award under Section 31 of RFCTLARR Act, 2013, for the acquired subject property as per the market value guideline (MVG) of Rs.130/- square feet prevailed at the time of issuance of notification under Section 11 of the Act.

2. By consent, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. According to the petitioners, the petitioners are the rightful owners of the property in S.No.78/2 at Karupattur Village, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District vide Doc. No.602/2020. The Government proposed to acquire the subject property to an extent of 55.60 ares for the purpose of implementing the Cauvery-Vaigai-KUndaru Linking Canal Project. Thereafter, the Government issued notification 2/6

under Section 11(1) in Na.ka.No.A1/207-2/2022, dated 15.02.2022 and pursuant to the said notification, an enquiry was conducted as contemplated under Section 21(1) of the Act. In response to the said notice, the petitioners appeared for the enquiry and produced all the relevant documents before the respondents. He further submitted that MVG was fixed as Rs.130/- sq. ft., for the subject property at the time of issuance of the notification under Section 11 of the Act. Though the enquiry was completed on 06.06.2023, even after the expiry of more than two and a half years, the first respondent has not passed the award in respect of the said land. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents submits that the petitioners' representation will be considered on its merits and in accordance with law.

5. Recording the above submission and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to enquire into the matter on the basis of the petitioner's representation and to provide compensation as to the entitlement of the petitioners on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy 3/6

of this order. The respondents 1 and 2 are directed to afford a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties who may be affected by such decision, before passing final orders. There shall be no order as to costs.

(K.SURENDER, J.) 10.02.2026 vsg 2/2 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No 4/6

To 1.The District Collector, Karur, Karur District.

2.The Special District Revenue Officer, Cauvery-Vaigai-Kundaru Linking Canal Project, Karur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District.

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K.SURENDER, J., vsg W.P (MD) No.3664 of 2026 10.02.2026 2/2 6/6