Mohamed Abdul Rahim vs Special District Revenue Officer (SDO), Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRL)

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 18924

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J
Mohamed Abdul Rahim – Appellant
Versus
Special District Revenue Officer (SDO), Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRL) – Respondent
Writ Petition | Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus

Important Points

The petitioner must pursue compensation enhancement through the appropriate Civil Court due to existing proceedings.

Subject

Administrative Law - Land Acquisition

Act Referred

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1999

Headnote

The Writ Petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, challenging the quantum of compensation awarded and seeking redetermination as per the applicable laws, specifically the RFCTLARR Act, 2013. The petitioner contested that the award did not adhere to statutory requirements and sought enhancement through a Civil Court reference. The Court concluded that the petitioner must pursue the appropriate legal remedy in the Principal District Court, Chengalpattu, urging for prompt resolution of the related matter.

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.Aditya Sarangarajan
For the Respondents: Mr.D.Ravichander, Special Government Pleader (For R1), Mr.B.Vijay, Standing Counsel for CMRL (For R2)

Table of Content
1. challenge to the compensation quantum. (Para 1)
2. requirement to approach civil court for enhancement. (Para 2)
3. court directs timely resolution in lower court. (Para 3 , 4 , 5)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the award dated 31.05.2024 passed by the respondents as the petitioner is aggrieved by the quantum of compensation fixed in the award.

2.According to the petitioner, the award has been passed by not adhering to the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act, 2013). Admittedly, a reference has been made by the petitioner to the Collector, seeking for enhancement of the compensation and based on the representation of the petitioner, the Collector has also referred the claim for enhancement of compensation made by the petitioner to the appropriate Civil Court. The appropriate Civil Court in the instant case is the Principal District Court, Chengalpattu. The petitioner’s case pending on the file of the Principal District Court, Chengalpattu is L.A.O.P.No.546 of 2026. Since a reference has already been made to the Civil Court in L.A.O.P.No.546 of 2026 on the file of the Principal District Court, Chengalpattu with regard to representation given by the petitioner seeking for enhancement of compensation, necessarily, the petitioner will have to approach the said Civil Court and cannot seek for enhancement through this Writ Petition.

3.Learned counsel for the petitioner seeks for early disposal of L.A.O.P.No.546 of 2026, pending on the file of the Principal District Court, Chengalpattu.

4.Mr.D.Ravichander, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the 1^st respondent and Mr.B.Vijay, learned Standing Counsel for CMRL, accepts notice for the 2^nd respondent.

5.For the foregoing reasons, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the petitioner to approach the Principal District Court, Chengalpattu, in L.A.O.P.No.546 of 2026, for seeking enhancement of compensation as prayed for in this Writ Petition. The learned Principal District Court, Chengalpattu, is directed to dispose of L.A.O.P.No.546 of 2026 as expeditiously as possible. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.