1. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

2. These three Writ Appeals are directed against the common order dated 26. 1998 made by the learned single Judge in Writ Petition Nos.1959, 2740 and 2796 of 1990. The writ petitioners have filed these writ appeals, as the Writ Petitions were dismissed by the aforesaid common order of the learned single Judge. The facts and questions of law that arise for consideration are common to each of the appeals. Hence, they are being disposed of by this common judgment.

3. Briefly stated, the facts leading to the filing of these writ appeals are the following:- The appellants contend that their fathers occupied the respective pieces of land, abutting Chengam Road, about thirty years before the filing of the writ petitions and they constructed houses on the respective lands; the second respondent— Municipality assigned Door Numbers to the respective houses; the house-tax is being paid to the second respondent—Municipality for the last 30 years, for which receipts were issued by the second-respondent—Municipality; thus the second respondent recognised the ownership of the appellants to the said houses; the Tamil Nadu Electricity Boa