Saminathan v. Special District Revenue Officer

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to comply with the defective statutory reference file from the Principle District Judge, Vellore and re-present in reference letter R.C.SDRO/23/2022 dated 15.09.2023.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, Uma Maheswari, wife of Dasarathan, along with Nithya, wife of Velu, are the absolute owners of the subject property situated in Survey No. 29/3D, Sathuvachari Village, Vellore District. The said land was acquired by the respondents under the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 for the construction of the Kangeya Nallur–Sathuvachari Bridge Project, and Award No. 04/2023 dated

15.05.2023 was passed awarding compensation. Dissatisfied with the quantum of compensation, the petitioner received the amount under protest and sought a reference under Section 64 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Though the Page3 of 5 first respondent forwarded the statutory reference to the Principal District Judge, Vellore, the reference has not been numbered due to non-submission of the requisite documents by the respondent authorities. Aggrieved by the inaction of the respondents, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to complete the statutory reference and transmit the records to the competent Court for adjudication in accordance with law.

¶3Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.C.Prabakaran, learned Government Counsel appearing for the respondents.

¶4Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made on either side, this Court directs the respondents to rectify the defects pointed out by the Principal District Judge, Vellore, in respect of the statutory reference forwarded under Reference Letter in R.C.SDRO/23/2022 dated 15.09.2023, and to re-present the same before the competent Court, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶5With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 22-07-2026 Asi

Page4 of 5 To.

¶1The Special District Revenue Officer Land Acquisition and Management unit Vellore District.

¶2The Divisional Engineer Constructions and Maintenance Highways Department Vellore District WPoNo.o28052oofo2026 KRISHNANoRAMASAMY,oJ. Asi WPoNo.o28052oofo2026 22-07-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 22-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY Saminathan S/o.Govindaraj No.16, Arcot Road, Pulavar street Rangapuram Sathuvachari Vellore District ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Special District Revenue Officer Land Acquisition and Management unit Vellore District. 2. The Divisional Engineer Constructions and Maintenance Highways Department Vellore District ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to comply with the defective statutory reference file from the Principle District Judge, Vellore and re-present in reference letter R.C.SDRO/23/2022 dated 15.09.2023 under section 64 of the Right to Fair compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 within time frame, so as to enable the numbering the LAOP and pass orders regarding the rightful compensation amount payable to the petitioner. Page2 of 5 For Petitioner(s): Mr.U.Balaji For Respondent(s): Mr.C.Prabakran, Government Counsel