Madras High Court
V.Ranganathan vs The District Collector on 3 November, 2025
Author: Krishnan Ramasamy
Bench: Krishnan Ramasamy
WP No.41246 of 2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 03-11-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY
WP No.41246 of 2025
V.Ranganathan,
S/o.Varutha Reddiar,
No. 5/85,Bangala Street, Andagalur Gate,
Rasipuram Taluk, Namakkal District.
Petitioner(s)
Vs
1.The District Collector,
Collectorate Campus,
Thummankurichi, Namakkal.
2.The Competent Authority And
District Revenue Officer,
(Land Acquisition),
National Highways No.7,
Collectorate Campus,
Thummankurichi, Namakkal.
3.The Project Director,
National Highways Authority Of India,
Sale.212-3/D3-1, Srinagar Colony,
Narajothipatti, Salem-636 004.
Respondent(s)
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WP No.41246 of 2025
PRAYER:-Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying for an issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to pay
Solatium at 30% and Additional Market value at 12% on the enhanced
compensation amount as re-determined by the 1st respondent in the Award
dated 01.08.2017, vide Na.Ka.7201/ 2012 /case No. 11/ 2011/Arbitration, along
with interest at the rate of 9% per annum for the first year and 15 % per
annum for the subsequent years, from the date of taking possession till the date
of realization, in respect of the petitioner's acquired land situated in
S.No.30/19A, as per subdivision S.No.30/19A2, Andagalur Village, Rasipuram
Taluk, Namakkal District, in accordance with the judgment of the Hon'ble
Supreme Court in Union of India V. Tarsem Singh, by duly considering the
petitioners representation dated 05.05.2025, within the stipulated time as fixed
by this Court.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.D.Vairamoorthy
For Respondent: Mr.P.Sathish
Additional Government Pleader
for R1 & R2
Mrs.S.R.Sumathy
Standing Counsel for R3
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WP No.41246 of 2025
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking to direct the the
respondents to pay Solatium at 30% and Additional Market value at 12% on the
enhanced compensation amount as re-determined by the 1st respondent in the
Award dated 01.08.2017, vide Na.Ka.7201/2012 /case No. 11/ 2011/Arbitration,
along with interest at the rate of 9% per annum for the first year and 15 % per
annum for the subsequent years, from the date of taking possession till the date
of realization, in respect of the petitioner's acquired land situated in
S.No.30/19A, as per subdivision S.No.30/19A2, Andagalur Village, Rasipuram
Taluk, Namakkal District, in accordance with the judgment of the Hon'ble
Supreme Court in Union of India V. Tarsem Singh, by duly considering the
petitioners representation dated 05.05.2025, within the stipulated time as fixed
by this Court.
2.Mr.P.Sathish, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice on
behalf of the respondents 1 & 2 and Mrs.S.R.Sumathy, learned Standing
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Counsel takes notice on behalf of the 3rd respondent. By consent of the parties,
the main writ petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself.
3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner's
lands were acquired by the 2nd respondent for the purpose of widening four-lane
road in National High Way No.7, under the provisions of the National Highways
Act, 1956. Thereafter, the 2nd respondent passed an Award dated 04.02.2008
determining the compensation for the acquired land. Since the amount of
compensation was less than the prevailed market rate, the petitioner had filed a
petition before the 1st respondent seeking enhancement of the amount of
compensation and the said Authority, by Award dated 01.08.2017, enhanced the
amount of compensation. However, failed to award 30% Solatium and 12%
Additional Market Value on the enhanced compensation at that time. Further, he
would submit that the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Union of India Vs.
Tarsem Singh and others reported in (2019) 9 SCC 304 has categorically held
that the Authorities are liable to pay Solatium and interest contained in Section
23(1A) and (2) and interest under Section 28 of the lands acquired under
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National Highways Act, 1956 and struck down Section 3 of the said Act.
Therefore, the petitioner is entitled for solatium, additional market value and
interest. In this regard, he made a representation to the respondents on
05.05.2025. As the same did not evoke any response, the petitioner has filed this
writ petition seeking for the aforesaid relief.
4.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the
respondents 1 and 2 as well as the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the
3rd respondent would submit that the 3rd respondent will consider and pass
orders on the representation of the petitioner, within the stipulated time fixed by
this Court.
5.Heard both sides. Perused the records.
6.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and having regard
to the submissions made, without going into the merits of the case, this Court
directs the 3rd respondent to pass orders on the representation of the petitioner
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dated 05.05.2025, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an
opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a period of eight weeks from the
date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7.With the aforesaid directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
03-11-2025
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rst
Index:Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Internet:Yes
Neutral Citation:Yes/No
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To
1.The District Collector,
Collectorate Campus,
Thummankurichi, Namakkal.
2.The Competent Authority And
District Revenue Officer,
(Land Acquisition),
National Highways,
No.7, Collectorate Campus,
Thummankurichi, Namakkal.
3.The Project Director,
National Highways Authority Of India,
Sale.212-3/D3-1, Srinagar Colony,
Narajothipatti, Salem-636 004.
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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.
rst
03-11-2025
(2/6)
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