S.Arivarasan v. The Additional Secretary

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, styled as a 'public interest litigation', seeks a direction to the respondents to resume the lands covered under D.K.T.No.956/32 dated 10.2.1923, restore the same to Government control, identify the legal heirs of the original Adi Dravidar and Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, and reassign the lands to such eligible beneficiaries, in accordance with law.

¶2The main grievance of the petitioner is that the beneficiaries have alienated the lands, violating the conditions of assignment. In this regard, the purchasers from the beneficiaries had instituted civil suits in OS Nos.263/77, 267/77 and 268/77 before the Civil Court at Kallakurichi, seeking declaration of title and consequential relief in respect of the assigned lands. The said suits were decreed. Thereafter, the Government preferred appeals in A.S.No.204/1979, 205/1979 and 206/2079 before the Subordinate Court, Cuddalore. Those appeals were dismissed.

¶3As on date, there is a decree in favour of the purchasers. In view of the aforesaid, the relief as sought for by the petitioner cannot be granted. This petition is misconceived. Accordingly, it is dismissed. There will be no order as to costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.)

14.07.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar To

1.The Additional secretary Secretary to Government Adi Dravidar and Welfare and Tribal Welfare Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009

2.The Commissioner Adi Dravidar and Welfare and Tribal Welfare Commission L.L.A.Building Second floor No.735, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002

3.The Land Administrative Commissioner The Land Administrative Commission Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005

¶4The District Collector Kallakurichi Taluk, Kallakurichi District

¶5The District Revenue officer O/o.the District Revenue office Kallakurichi Taluk, Kallakurichi District

6.The Revenue Divisional officer O/o.The Revenue Divisional officer

¶7The Tahsildar O/o.The Tahsildar THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN

, J.

(tar)

14.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN S.Arivarasan West Nagar, Neela Mangalam Koot Road Kallakurichi Taluk, Kallakurichi District : Petitioner Versus 1.The Additional secretary Secretary to Government Adi Dravidar and welfare & Tribal welfare Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009 2.The Commissioner Adi Dravidar and Welfare & Tribal welfare commission L.L.A.Building Second floor No.735, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002 3.The Land Administrative commissioner The Land Administrative commission Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005 4. The District collector 5. The District Revenue officer O/o.District Revenue office 6.The Revenue Divisional officer O/o.The Revenue Divisional officer 7. The Tahsildar O/o.The Tahsildar : Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to the land transfer and consequently direct all respondents to resume the lands covered under D.K.T.No.956/32 dated 10.2.1923 restore the same to Government control, identify the lawful heirs of the original Adi Dravidar and Scheduled Caste beneficiaries and reassign the lands to such eligible beneficiaries in accordance with law and the object of the original assignment scheme based on the representation sent by petitioner on 28.1.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Shanmugasundaram, for Mr.R.Muruga Bharathi For Respondents : Mr.R.Veeramani, Government Pleader