The importance of documentary evidence, such as consent declarations and undertakings, in resolving property disputes.

JUDGMENT

(Common Prayer: Writ Appeals have been filed under Section 15 of Letter of Patent against the common order passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.Nos.79 of 2004 and 6103 of 1999, dated 03.02.2015.)

Common Judgment

1. Mrs.Kamalam/appellant herein is the fourth respondent in W.P.No.79 of 2004. Mrs.Punithavalli/first respondent herein is the writ petitioner in both writ petitions.

2. W.P.No.6103 of 1999 was filed seeking for issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents 2 and 3/Slum Clearance Board to execute a Sale Deed in her favour. W.P.No.79 of 2004 was filed challenging the proceedings dated 23.06.2003 made in Se.Mu.Ka.No.6431/E3/03 of the Chairman, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board. Learned Single Judge, by the impugned common order dated 03.02.2015, allowed both the writ petitions. Aggrieved by the same, Mrs.Kamalam has filed these two writ appeals.

3. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board has allotted Plot No.173, Second Cross Street, Dr.Ambedkar Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai – 9, comprised in Old S.No.53/1, now R.S.No.11612(part) of Kolathur Village, measuring an extent of 40.5 sq.mtrs. under an allotment order dated 30.05.1996 to the appellant. Pursuant to the allotment, the said plot was handed over to the appellant, who, in turn, entered into a lease-cum-sale agreement dated 10.05.1996 with the first respondent. It is further submitted that after the full payment was made, the Slum Clearance Board has also issued No Objection Certificate to the appellant for Metro Water and Drainage Connection to mortgage the said plot with any financial institution. Thereafter, she sought permission for construction of a residential house and commenced levelling the ground for laying a foundation. Whileso, on 25.12.2003, the first respondent's husband S.R.Hari alias Kothandaraman, with the help of labourers, was digging the plot allotted to the appellant to put up column. Thereafter, the appellant and her husband immediately rushed to the place in question and strongly objected the unauthorized entry of the first respondent and digging the earth and thereby, a police complaint was also lodged in I.P.No.337/03 on the file of Rajamangalam Police Station. As the issue is civil in nature, the Inspector of Police advised both parties to approach the Civil Court for appropriate relief. Therefore, the appellant also filed a civil suit in O.S.No.313 of 2004 on the file of XIV Assistant Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai, seeking for permanent injunction restraining the first respondent from interfering with her peaceful possession and enjoyment of the property in question. It is further submitted that the said suit was dismissed by the trial Court on 01.04.2022, after contest.

4. It is further argued that the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, on verifying the records, found certain mistakes and therefore, vide proceedings dated 23.06.2003, it has revised the extent of the plot allotted to the first respondent in Kannagi Nagar from 37.50 sq.mtrs. to 47 sq.mtrs. It is further argued that if the extent is 87.50 sq.mtrs. in Plot No.144 allotted to the first respondent, then it is inclusive of 40.50 sq.mtrs. allotted to the appellant on the rear side of Plot No.144. The plot allotted to the first respondent is in Kannagi Nagar Scheme whereas the plot earlier allotted to the first respondent is under Dr.Ambedkar Nagar Scheme which was approved by the CMDA.

5. It is further contended that the Board has committed a mistake while making the allotment to the first respondent herein and therefore, the said mistake was subsequently rectified by order dated 23.06.2003 as stated above. Aggrieved by the same, the writ petitioner/first respondent herein has filed W.P.No.79 of 2004 challenging the rectification order dated 23.06.2003, that too without impleading the appellant herein in the said writ petition. Taking advantage of the difference in the extent of land, the first respondent herein