S. Kamini v. The Secretary to Government

JUDGMENT (Judgment of the Court was delivered by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent assails the order dated 20.01.2026 in WP No.30484 of 2024, whereby the learned Single Judge had rejected the claim of the appellant for enhanced compensation.

¶2The appellant/writ petitioner had filed the writ petition seeking adequate compensation for the acquisition of 3960 sq.ft. of land in Plot Nos.91 and 92 in Subashri Nagar Layout, comprised in S.Nos.27/1A and 28/1A, Pondur Village, Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District.

¶3The aforesaid land was acquired under the Tamil Nadu land Acquisition Act, 1894, (for short, 'the Act') pursuant to the issuance of notification under Section 4(1) thereof, on 08.09.1997, followed by declaration, published on 14.10.1997. Thereafter, award was passed on 30.06.1999. The grievance of the appellant was that in spite of lapse of 25 years from the date of award, no compensation has been paid.

¶4On a perusal of the records, it is seen that the compensation amount was determined in June, 1999 and award amount was deposited as revenue deposit. The appellant thereafter filed certain litigation before this Court. However, she was not successful since she approached the authorities belatedly. Reference under Section 18 of the Act was also dismissed. Subsequently, another writ petition was filed seeking declaration to the effect that the proceedings have lapsed under Section 24(2) of the Act.

¶4Learned counsel for the appellant contended that in similar situation, the Supreme Court in the case of Bernard Francis Joseph Vaz and ors. vs. Government of Karnataka and others (MANU/SC/0001/2025), had determined the compensation, based on the present market value. Therefore, in this case also, the appellant would be entitled for enhanced compensation.

¶5The learned Government Pleader submitted that compensation has already been determined in the year 1999 and award amount was quantified. However, the appellant did not choose to submit documents to receive the amount. Moreover, the writ petition also suffers from inordinate delay and laches. He further submitted that the Supreme Court had directed payment on market value taking into consideration the fact that only after the issuance of contempt notice, compensation was determined in that case. In these circumstances, the Apex Court directed determination of compensation as per the present market value. Learned counsel submitted that facts of both the cases are distinguishable and therefore, the appeal deserves to be dismissed.

¶6Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record.

¶7In the instant case, the acquisition proceedings happened in the year 1999 and award was passed on 30.06.1999. Since the appellant did not come forward to receive the award amount, it was deposited as revenue deposit. We find no error in the order passed by the learned Single Judge. Accordingly, this writ appeal, being bereft of materials and substance, is hereby dismissed. There will be no order as to costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G. ARUL MURUGAN, J.)

15.07.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar To

¶1The Secretary to Government Industries Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600009.

2.The District Collector Collectorate, Kanchipuram District.

3.The Special District Revenue Officer (LA) Oragadam and Iarankattukottai Schemes, SIPCOT Irunkattukottai Complex, Irunkattukottai, Kanchipuram Dt.

4.The Special Tahsildar Land Acquisition, SIPCOT Unit, Irungattukottai, Sriperumpudur, Kancheepuram Dt.

5.The Chairman and Managing Director, State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu 19A, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road, Egmore, Chennai 8. THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G. ARUL MURUGAN

, J.

(tar)

15.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G. ARUL MURUGAN S. Kamini A-Block 203, Jones Blazia, 200 Feet Radial Road, Kovilampakkam, Chennai 117. Appellant Vs 1. The Secretary to Government Industries Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600009. 2.The District Collector Collectorate, Kanchipuram District. 3.The Special District Revenue Officer (LA) Oragadam and Iarankattukottai Schemes, SIPCOT Irunkattukottai Complex, Irunkattukottai, Kanchipuram Dt. 4.The Special Tahsildar Land Acquisition, SIPCOT Unit, Irungattukottai, Sriperumpudur, Kancheepuram Dt. 5.State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) Rep by its Chairman and Managing Director, 19A, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road, Egmore, Chennai 8. Respondents Prayer: Appeal filed against the order dated 20.01.2026 passed in WP No.30484 of 2024. For Appellant Mr.A.Arshath Ahamed for Mr.A.Mohamed Ismail For Respondents Mr. K.Kumaran Government Pleader for respondents 1 to 4. Mr. Abishek Murthy Standing Counsel for respondent No.5