K.Devakrishnan v. The Directorate E of Town and Country Planning

ORDER [made by M.SUNDAR, J.] Captioned 'writ petition' (hereinafter 'WP' for the sake of brevity) has been filed with a prayer for issue of a writ of mandamus qua two appeals (both dated 07.01.2025). To be noted, one appeal is before R1 (Director of Town and Country Planning) and another appeal is before R2 (Assistant Director of Town Panchayat).

¶2Issue notice to respondents. Page Nos.2/6

¶3Mr. T.K. Saravanan, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice for all the respondents and submits, on instructions, that the aforereferred appeals are not maintainable.

¶4We express no opinion or view one way or the other on the same as we propose to make a simple order directing RR 1 and 2 to dispose of the appeals on their own merits and in accordance with law. For the sake of abundant clarity, we deem it appropriate to write that disposal of aforereferred appeals on their own merits and in accordance with law by RR 1 and 2 includes making an order that the appeals are not maintainable, if that be so. However, as alluded to supra, we have not expressed any view or opinion on this aspect of the matter in this order.

¶5Learned State counsel, on instructions, submits that orders in the aforereferred two appeals (both dated 07.01.2025) will be made as expeditiously as the official business of RR 1 and 2 would permit but in any event within eight weeks from today i.e., on or before

30.07.2025. This submission is recorded. Page Nos.3/6

¶6Orders so made shall be served on the writ petitioner under due acknowledgment within five working days from the dates on which orders are made. Though obvious, we make it clear that all the rights and contentions of writ petitioner as regards orders which RR 1 and 2 are to make, more particularly rights of writ petitioner to assail the same, if so advised and so desired, are also preserved and axiomatically, rights of State also stand preserved.

¶7Captioned WP is disposed of in the aforesaid manner recording the stated position of learned State counsel. There shall be no order as to costs. (M.S.,J.) (H.C.,J.)

04.06.2025 cad Page Nos.4/6 To

¶1The Directorate of Town and Country Planning CMDA Office Complex Srinivasa Nagar Virugambakkam Koyambedu Chennai 600 107

¶2The Assistant Director of Town Panchayat Collectorate Coimbatore 641 018

¶3The Tahsildar Sulur Taluk Coimbatore 641 402

¶4The District Collector Coimbatore District 641 018

¶5The Executive Officer Pallapalayam Town Panchayat Coimbatore 641 103 Page Nos.5/6

M.SUNDAR, J. and

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J. cad

04.06.2025 Page Nos.6/6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 04.06.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.SUNDAR and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR K. Devakrishnan Petitioner vs. 1. The Directorate of Town and Country Planning CMDA Office Complex Srinivasa Nagar Virugambakkam Koyambedu Chennai 600 107 2. The Assistant Director of Town Panchayat Collectorate Coimbatore 641 018 3. The Tahsildar Sulur Taluk Coimbatore 641 402 4. The District Collector Coimbatore District 641 018 5. The Executive Officer Pallapalayam Town Panchayat Coimbatore 641 103 Respondents Page Nos.1/6 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to forthwith consider and decide the appeals filed by the petitioner on 07.01.2025 on their merits within a stipulated time frame as per the relevant laws and procedure. For petitioner Ms. J. Johnsy Greeta for Mr. J. Kingsly Solomon For respondents Mr. C. Kathiravan Special Government Pleader