1. This Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to forbear the respondents from re-shifting the Secretariat and the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the New Secretariat Complex at Omandurar Government Estate to its old place at Fort St. George.

2. It is alleged that originally the Secretariat of the Government of Tamil Nadu has functioned from Fort St. George. It was built the British Period in 1640 and it was the seat of power for more than 300 years. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister’s Office and other Minister’s Office are all housed in the said old building. During the year 1975 a 10-storey building was constructed to ease out congestion in the corridors, and in the said building various departments of the Government start functioning. Since, the Fort St. George belongs to Defence Department, and since, the State Government could not house all its main offices inside the same for want of space and many of the Government Offices were scattered in and around Ezhilagam Building at Chepauk, the then Government headed by the present Chief Minister had started to look out for a proper place to house the State Secretariat. I