K.Veeramani v. The District Collector

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by M.SUNDAR, J.,] This order will now dispose of the captioned 'Writ Petition' ['WP' for the sake of brevity].

¶2Mr.S.P.Yuaraj, learned counsel on record for writ petitioner is before us. Page Nos.2/8

¶3Adverting to a representation dated 01.03.2024, learned counsel for writ petitioner submitted that there is alleged encroachment in Odai, classified as Vadikal, in 'S.No.61 in Pillanallur Village, Rasipuram Taluk, Namakkal District' [hereinafter 'said land' for the sake of convenience and clarity] by R4 before us. To be noted, R4 is private respondent.

¶4Considering the obtaining position, we are of the view that the captioned WP can be disposed of by ordering notice to official respondents (R1 to R3) and putting in a safety valve / adequate protection qua alleged encroacher i.e., R4.

¶5Issue notice to official respondents i.e., R1 to R3.

¶6Mr.T.K.Saravanan, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice for R1 to R3. Page Nos.3/8

¶7In the light of what has been alluded to supra and considering the limited scope of the captioned WP, with the consent of both sides, main WP was taken up.

¶8It was submitted by learned Government Advocate that G.O.(Ms)No.64, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Disposal Wing, dated 08.02.2022 has been put in place, wherein and whereby Divisional Monitoring Committee, District Monitoring Committee and State Steering Committee have been constituted inter alia for a single point reporting / monitoring system qua Government lands.

¶9In the light of the narrative thus far, we deem it appropriate to refer the matter to the Divisional Monitoring Committee headed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Namakkal District, the second respondent herein, qua G.O.(Ms)No.64, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Disposal Wing, dated 08.02.2022.

¶10This Court directs the jurisdictional Divisional Monitoring Committee to examine if there is encroachment qua said land. The Divisional Monitoring Committee shall also ensure that adequate and ample opportunity is given to persons concerned more particularly alleged Page Nos.4/8 encroacher (R4) before taking a call. In this regard, we are acutely conscious that the matter is being disposed of in Admission Board without notice to alleged encroacher and therefore, this safety valve is put in place. To be noted, all the rights and contentions of alleged encroacher are preserved for being raised before the Committee concerned which shall consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with law untrammelled by this proceedings in this Court.

¶11The Divisional Monitoring Committee qua G.O.(Ms)No.64, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Disposal Wing, dated

08.02.2022, shall (if it comes to the conclusion that there is encroachment) report the encroachment for further action (for removal of encroachment which again shall be after giving adequate and ample opportunity to alleged encroacher). The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of twelve weeks from today i.e., by 28.04.2025.

¶12It is open to the WP petitioner and/ or anyone concerned with this matter to come to this Court on the same issue even with a similar / same prayer if there are any change of circumstances. Page Nos.5/8

¶13We make it clear that we have not expressed any view or opinion as to whether there is encroachment or not qua said land as it turns on facts and it is for the Divisional Monitoring Committee to take a call on this aspect of the matter. We also make it clear that this exercise will not apply to patta land and it will apply only to public land, if there is any encroachment in public land.

¶14Captioned WP is disposed of with the aforementioned observations and directives in the aforesaid manner. There shall be no order as to costs. (M.S.,J.) (K.G.T.,J.)

03.02.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking / Non-speaking order gpa Page Nos.6/8 To

¶1The District Collector 1st Floor, Main Building Tiruchengode Road Namakkal District

¶2The Revenue Divisional Officer Revenue Divisional Office Mohanoor Road Namakkal District

¶3The Tahsildar Thasildar Office Rasipuram Town Post Rasipuram Taluk Namakkal District – 637 408 Page Nos.7/8 M.SUNDAR, J., and K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI, J., gpa

03.02.2025 Page Nos.8/8

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 03.02.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.SUNDAR and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI K.Veeramani S/o.M.S.Kandasamy ... Petitioner vs 1. The District Collector 1st Floor, Main Building Tiruchengode Road Namakkal District 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Revenue Divisional Office Mohanoor Road Namakkal District 3. The Tahsildar Thasildar Office Rasipuram Town Post Rasipuram Taluk Namakkal District – 637 408 4. Mr.Srinivasan @ Venkatachalam S/o.Mrs.Atthayi ... Respondents Page Nos.1/8 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to remove the encroachments and fencing stones erected by the fourth respondent in odai situated in S.No.61 classified as Vadikal in Pillanallur Village, Rasipuram Taluk, Namakkal District based on petitioner's representation dated 01.03.2024. For Petitioner : Mr.S.P.Yuaraj For Respondents : Mr.T.K.Saravanan Government Advocate for R1 to R3