R. Suresh Kumar, J.

The prayer in the writ petition is for a mandamus directing the respondents to pay a sum of Rs.25 lakhs towards compensation for the loss occurred on account of the illegal act of demolishing the structure at Door No.823/A, Anna Salai, Chennai-2 and further, restore the possession to the petitioner.

2.1. The case of the petitioner is that the land at Door No. 823/A, Anna Salai, Chennai-2 belongs to the respondent corporation and the same had been given in lease to the father of the petitioner in the year 1981 wherein, a structure was put up and the petitioner's father was carrying on business in the name and style of 'Classic sweet and tea stall'. License also had been obtained from the respondent corporation. After the death of the petitioner's father, his mother was carrying on with the business. The respondent was approached by the petitioner on various occasions and sought for transfer of license in the name of his mother. But the respondents were reluctant in considering the said request. Pending the request of transfer of license, since the respondent corporation exceeded their powers and sealed the premises, the petitioner's mother had approached thi