Pushpam v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR Pushpam ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Kanniyakumari, Kanniyakumari District.
2.The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, District Collector Office Campus, Kanniyakumari District.
3.The Special Tashildar, Land Acquisition Railway Phase-I, Tashildar Office Campus, Kallukulam, Thakkalai, Kanniyakumari District.
... Respondents Prayer :- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant compensation to legal heirs of Maria Sebastian, namely 1. Pushpam
2. Jasmine Geetha, 3. Chrishtu Rajan, 4. Rajesh Kumar 5. Jasmine Deepa
for Survey No.134/24 in Patta No.2400, Kappiyarai B Village, Kallkulam Taluk, Kanniyakumari District, on the basis of the representation given by the Petitioner dated 04.07.2025, 19.07.2025 and 21.07.2025 within the time limit that may be stipulated.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sivaprakash For R1 to R3 : Mr.A.Baskaran Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
The writ petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents to pay compensation to legal heirs of Maria Sebastian, namely, 1. Pushpam
2. Jasmine Geetha, 3. Chrishtu Rajan, 4. Rajesh Kumar and 5. Jasmine Deepa, in respect of the property of Maria Sebastian, which was acquired for extension of railway project.
2.Heard the arguments of Mr.S.Sivaprakash, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.A.Baskaran, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3. By consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3.According to the petitioner, the property situated in Survey Nos. 162/6A1 and 134/24 in Kappiyarai B Village, Kallkulam Taluk, Kanniyakumari District, was acquired for the purpose of extension of railway line. Subsequently, the petitioner's husband, Maria Sebastian died leaving behind the petitioner and four others as his legal representatives. The petitioner submitted various representations before the respondents seeking disbursal of the compensation amount to the legal heirs of the Maria Sebastian and the same has not been considered. Hence, the petitioner has come before this Court. 4.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, based on the written instructions from the third respondent, would submit that the documents submitted by the petitioner will be considered and the compensation amount will be paid to all the legal heirs of the original owner Maria Sebastian. The said statement is recorded.
5.In view of the statement made by the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, without expressing
any opinion on the merits of the matter, the third respondent is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 21.07.2025 and pass final orders on its own merits within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner and other legal heirs of Maria Sebastian. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 19.08.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No cp To 1.The District Collector, Kanniyakumari, Kanniyakumari District.
2.The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, District Collector Office Campus, Kanniyakumari District.
3.The Special Tashildar, Land Acquisition Railway Phase-I, Tashildar Office Campus, Kallukulam, Thakkalai, Kanniyakumari District.
S.SOUNTHAR ,J cp Dated: 19.08.2025