Saroja v. The Secretary And Personnel Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Saroja ... Petitioner -vs1.The Secretary and Personnel Officer, Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB), Head Office, CMDA Tower III Building, Koyambedu, Chennai - 600 107.
2.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Kokkirakulam, Tirunelveli- 9.
3.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Tirunelveli - 11.
... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 12.11.2025 for re-conveyance of the lands acquired in Old Survey No.714/2, present Town Survey Nos.223/1, 223/3, Block No.36, Ward BM, Kulavanigarpuram Village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District, within the time stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Kannan For R1 and R2 : Mr.S.Kameswaran Government Advocate For R3 : Mr.S.Velmurugan Standing Counsel
ORDER
The Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 12.11.2025 for reconveyance of the lands comprised in Old Survey No.714/2, presently Town Survey Nos.223/1 and 223/3, Block No.36, Ward BM, Kulavanigarpuram Village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the subject lands were acquired for the purpose of the Housing Board by an Award dated 10.07.1989 and, according to the petitioner, the same have not been utilised for the intended public purpose till date. On that basis, the petitioner has submitted a representation seeking reconveyance of the lands, which remains unconsidered.
3. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Housing Board submitted that, pursuant to the acquisition, possession of the lands was taken and handed over to the Housing Board, and a scheme known as the "Neighbourhood Scheme" has been formed, under which several plots have already been sold. Therefore, it cannot be contended that the lands have not been put to public use.
4. In view of the above factual position, it is evident that the acquired lands have been put to use for the intended public purpose. Hence, the request for reconveyance cannot be entertained.
5. Recording the same, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
6. Insofar as the issue relating to compensation is concerned, if the petitioner has not received the same, it is open to the petitioner to work out her remedy in the manner known to law. The petitioner is at liberty to make appropriate representations after verifying the records with the Land Acquisition Authority and the jurisdictional Civil Court, as to whether the compensation amount has already been received by her predecessor-in-interest or deposited
before the competent Court. The petitioner's right, if any, as a legatee in respect of the compensation amount is left open.
17.03.2026 smn2 To:- 1.The Secretary and Personnel Officer, Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB), Head Office, CMDA Tower III Building, Koyambedu, Chennai - 600 107.
2.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Kokkirakulam, Tirunelveli- 9.
3.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Tirunelveli - 11.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.
smn2 17.03.2026