Madras HC Directs Officials To Return Woman’s Land Held By Occupants After Acquisition Was Quashed

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the District Collector and Special Tahsildar to remove respondents 3 and 4, and any other persons, from land in S. No. 45/7B, Thottapattu Village.

The land had been acquired, but the acquisition proceedings were quashed and the decision became final; the petitioner’s ownership was consequently restored.

Respondents 3 and 4 were in possession of the land. The parties disputed whether they had occupied alternate lands granted by the Government, and counsel for the petitioner stated that subsequent acquisition proceedings had been withdrawn.

The petitioner had complained to the revenue and police authorities, but submitted that no action was being taken while the writ petition was pending.

The petition invoked the High Court’s writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

The Court identified no specific statutory provision or precedent. Its decision proceeded on the stated facts that the acquisition proceedings had been quashed, the petitioner’s ownership had been restored, and the petitioner had lodged complaints with the authorities.

The Court treated the petitioner’s restored ownership as undisputed and noted that respondents 3 and 4 were in possession of the land.

In light of the petitioner’s existing complaints and the submission that the authorities had not acted, the Court directed the authorities to entertain the complaint and initiate necessary action to ensure the land was handed over to the landowners.

No costs were awarded, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.