Gopi Subash v. The State Represented By, The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 09.06.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Gopi Subash ... Petitioner Vs 1.The State Represented By The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 2.The Sub Sub Collector, Office of the Sub Collector, Periyakulam, Theni District.
3.The District Revenue Officer, Office of the District Revenue Officer, Theni, Theni District.
4.The Executive Engineer, Sothuparai Road, Periyakulam Taluk, 5.The Superintending Engineer, Tallakulam, Madurai District.
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6.The Chief Engineer, Tallakulam, Madurai District.
7.The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildhar, Periyakulam Taluk Office, ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant appropriate compensation in respect of the lands comprised in Survey Nos. 318/2, 322/2, 322/3, 322/6, 346/4 and 353, situated at Devadanapatti Village, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni District, measuring an extent of 14 acres and 38 cents, which were donated to the Bhoomidan Board by the petitioner's grandfather and pass such further or other orders. For Petitioner : Mr. A. Rajasekaran For Respondent : Ms.P.Sudarkodi Nachiar Government Standing Counsel
ORDER
The Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus directing the respondents to grant appropriate compensation in respect of the lands comprised in Survey Nos.318/2, 322/2, 322/3, 322/6, 346/4 and 353, situated at Devadanapatti 2/7
Village, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni District, measuring an extent of 14 acres and 38 cents.
2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, it is seen that the petitioner's grandfather, inspired by the call made by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, donated the said lands to the Bhoomidan Board under the Bhoomidan movement. The donation was made through registered documents bearing Document Nos.668/1965, L329/1966, L334/1966 and L335/1966. For more than 60 years, the petitioner and his family members have neither been in possession of the lands nor claimed any right. Now it is stated that the petitioner is not doing well economically and the grievance of the petitioner is that when the land was donated under the Bhoomidan Movement for distribution to the landless farmers, the Government is presently using it for public purposes. Therefore, adequate compensation should be given to the petitioner. The second grievance of the petitioner is that his grandfather was not the sole owner of the property and there were other sharers and hence, in the absence of the other sharers joining in executing the gift deed, the same is not valid. 3/7
3. I have considered the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and the learned Government Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents.
4. The petitioner's grandfather, inspired by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, while in possession of the lands, voluntarily donated the same for the Bhoomidan Movement through registered documents of the years 1965 and 1966. Now, after a lapse of 60 years, the petitioner cannot claim compensation. The lands are not distributed to the landless farmers as they form part of the catchment area of a dam. Therefore, the prayer for compensation cannot be countenanced. With reference to the competency of the petitioner's grandfather to execute the documents, the same has not been challenged by any of the shareholders right from the year 1965 till date. Even the claim with reference to the title appears to be stale. In any event, the prayer made is only for grant of compensation and it is found that the same is not sustainable.
5. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. 4/7
6. Though it is pleaded that the petitioner and his family members are not currently well placed in life, the good deed done by the grandfather in the interests of the nation should make the petitioner and his family members very proud, and time will answer the prayer of the petitioner. 09.06.2026 sji NCC : Yes/No TO 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 2.The Sub Sub Collector, Office of the Sub Collector, Periyakulam, Theni District.
3.The District Revenue Officer, Office of the District Revenue Officer, Theni, Theni District.
4.The Executive Engineer, Sothuparai Road, Periyakulam Taluk, 5/7
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
sji 5.The Superintending Engineer, Tallakulam, Madurai District.
6.The Chief Engineer, Tallakulam, Madurai District.
7.The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildhar, Periyakulam Taluk Office, WP(MD) No.15282 of 2026 Date : 09/06/2026 6/7
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