IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 08.04.2024 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN W.P.No.33891 of 2023 K.Habbis Mohamed ... Petitioner versus

1.The Joint Director, Town & Country Planning, District Town & Country Planning Office, Coimbatore.

2.The Member Secretary, Coimbatore Local Planning Authority, Office of Local Planning Authority, Coimbatore.

3.The Commissioner, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, Coimbatore. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Declaration, declaring the properties comprised in Old Survey Nos.750/4 and 750/5 as per patta New Survey Nos.750/4B & 750/5, measuring to an extent of 10918 sq.ft or 25 cents and 028 sq.ft or 1014.31 Sq.mt, situated at Kalapatti Village, Coimbatore North Taluk, Coimbatore District (property) forming part of MAP No.3 DDP/(C.N.R)D.T.C.P. No.95(consent) dated 18.04.1995 for Coimbatore Local Planning Area Kalapatti Detailed Development Plan No.20, which was approved for the public purpose of childrens' play space by the first respondent to have lapsed in the light of Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 (TN Act 35 of 1974) and the various decisions of this Hon'ble Court in W.P. (MD) No.8515 of 2021 dated 25.06.2021 W.P.No.106/2022 dated 07.01.2022, W.P.No.538/2022 dated 19.01.2022, W.P.No.1466/2022 dated 04.02.2022, W.P.(MD)No.424/2022 dated 14.03.2022, W.P.Nos.4948,4951 & 4406/2022 dated 30.03.2022, W.P.No.30169/2022 dated 25.01.2023, W.P.7862/2023 dated 29.03.2023, W.P.No.11410 of 2023 dated 13.04.2023, W.P.No.12484/2023 dated 24.04.2023, W.P.No.17284/2023 dated 12.06.2023, W.P.No.19532/2023 dated 30.06.2023 and W.P.23851/2023 dated 22.08.2023.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Tamilmani For Respondent Nos.1 & 2 : Mrs.C.Meera Arumugam Additional Government Pleader For Respondent No.3 : Mr.N.Umapathi Standing Counsel

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of declaration, declaring the properties in Old Survey Nos.750/4 and 750/5, New Survey Nos.750/4B & 750/5 measuring to an extent of 25 cents, situated at Kalapatti Village, Coimbatore North Taluk, Coimbatore District, earmarked as children's play space for the public purpose in Kalapatti Detailed Development Plan No.20, in view of Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

2. The case of the petitioner is that the properties in Old Survey Nos.750/4 and 750/5, New Survey Nos.750/4B & 750/5 situated at Kalapatti Village, Coimbatore North Taluk, Coimbatore District, originally belong to the petitioner's predecessor. While so, a proposal was established in the name of 'Detailed Development Plan' for Kalapatti Village. The Government has notified the same through Gazette notification as Kalapatti Detailed Development Plan No.20. On such notification, the Government had notified/reserved the lands in Old Survey Nos.750/4 and 750/5, New Survey Nos.750/4B & 750/5 measuring to an extent of 25 cents, situated at Kalapatti Village, Coimbatore North Taluk, Coimbatore District. Once the Detailed Government Plan comes into operation, the Government has to acquire the land under Section 36 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act and appropriate compensation has to be provided under Section 39 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, within the period of three years. Even after lapse of ten years, till today no acquisition has been made. Therefore, the present case falls under Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act. Hence, the lands in Old Survey Nos.750/4 and 750/5, New Survey Nos.750/4B & 750/5 are deemed to be released.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has relied on a decision of this Court in W.P.(MD).No.10659 of 2012, dated 10.12.2012.

The relevant portion of the order reads as follows:-

“8. In this regard, useful reference could made to a decision reported in (2008) 2 MLJ 184 (K.S.Kamakshi Chetty and others vs. C