[Cites 1, Cited by 0]
Madras High Court
Saroja vs The Secretary And Personnel Officer on 17 March, 2026
Author: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy
Bench: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy
W.P.(MD)No.7214 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 17.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
W.P.(MD)No.7214 of 2026
Saroja ... Petitioner
-vs-
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. ... 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.
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W.P.(MD)No.7214 of 2026
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.
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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
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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
Neutral Citation : No
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.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
smn2
17.03.2026
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