Puyalrani v. The District Collector

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the impugned order dated 23.01.2026 passed by the first respondent and consequently direct the respondents to refer the matter before the Appropriate Authority as per Section 64 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001, based on the petitioner's representations on 24.07.2025, 03.03.2026 and

08.05.2026.

¶2The petitioner's land was acquired by the respondents for extension of Highways Road. The acquiring authorities, namely, the respondents 3 and 4 had fixed the compensation payable to the petitioner. Aggrieved over the same, the petitioner has submitted a representation before the District Collector. The District Collector considered the petitioner's request and passed the impunged order. Aggrieved over the same, the present writ petition has been filed.

¶3This Court is of the considered opinion that the District Collector is the appropriate authority to consider the petitioner's claim. Therefore, the District Collector has passed as per the jurisdiction. The petitioner has not raised any valid grounds to interfere with the said order. The appropriate statutory remedy available to the petitioner is to go before the District Collector or Special District Revenue Officer, National Highways, under Section 20 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001. However, the petitioner can approach only if the District Collector refer the matter to the District Court. Admittedly, no such reference has been made in the present case. In view of the above, this Court is of the considered opinion that instead of quashing the impugned order, if a direction is given to the District Collector, that would suffice the petitioner's grievance. Therefore, the impugned order is not quashed. However, the District Collector is directed to refer the matter to the District Court concerned under Section 20 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 and serve a copy to the petitioner. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶4With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

04.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes jbr To:

¶1The District Collector, District Collector Office, Sivagangai - 630 562.

¶2The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, Sivagangai - 630 562.

¶3The Special District Revenue Officer (L.A), Special District Revenue Officer, National Highways, Thoothukudi.

¶4The Special District Revenue,Officer (L.A), Special District Revenue Officer, National Highways, Pudukottai. S.SRIMATHY

, J.

jbr DATED : 04.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY and W.M.P.(MD)No.11043 of 2026 Puyalrani ... Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector, District Collector Office, Sivagangai - 630 562. 2. The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, Sivagangai - 630 562. 3. The Special District Revenue Officer (L.A), Special District Revenue Officer, National Highways, Thoothukudi. 4. The Special District Revenue,Officer (L.A), Special District Revenue Officer, National Highways, Pudukottai. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the entire relevant records related to the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent vide Ni.Mu.Si1/27330/2025, dated 23.01.2026 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to refer the matter before the Appropriate Authority as per Section 64 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001, based on the petitioner's representations on 24.07.2025, 03.03.2026 and 08.05.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Senthilkumar For Respondents : Mr.S.Siva Thilakar Counsel for State of Tamil Nadu