IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 09.03.2026 Coram The Honourable Mr.Justice Krishnan Ramasamy ARULMIGU KARANEESWARAR THIRUKOIL REP BY ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICER SAIDAPET CHENNAI-600 015. ..Petitioner Vs.

1 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR CHENNAI DISTRICT, RAJAJI SALAI CHENNAI-600 001.

2 THE SPECIAL TAHSILDAR METRO RAIL PROJECT ANNA SALAI NANDANAM CHENNAI-600 035. 3 THE TAHSILDAR GUINDY TALUK OFFICE ANNA SALAI, CHENNAI-600 032.

4 CHENNAI METRO RAIL LIMITED REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR ANNA SALAI, NANDANAM CHENNAI-600 035.

5 THE SPECIAL DISTRICT REVENUE OFFICER (LAO)

METROS NO.327, ANNA SALAI, NANDANAM CHENNAI.600 035.(R5-SUO MOTU IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 04.12.2024 passed by this Court in this W.P.

...Respondents Prayer :-

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th respondent to commence the land acquisition proceedings and pay compensation in respect to the lands bearing Survey Nos.9/1 and 11/1 to an extent of 88 grounds 224 Sq.Ft in Adyar Village, Saidapet, belonging to the Petitioner under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 (Act XXX of 2013) based on the various representations issued by the petitioner within a time frame.

For Petitioner : Mr.Wilson.

For Respondents 1, 3 to 5 : Mr.T.K.Saravanan AGP For Respondent-4 : Mr.B.Vijay

Order

Heard Mr.Wilson learned counsel appearing for the petitioner Mr.T.K.Saravanan, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1, 3 to 5 and Mr.B.Vijay, learned counsel for the fourth respondent.

2. This Writ Petition is filed seeking for the following prayer:-

i) For issuance of a mandamus directing the fourth respondent to commence the land acquisition proceedings and pay compensation in respect of the lands morefully described in the prayer belonging to the Petitioner under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 (Act XXX of 2013) based on the various representations issued by the petitioner within a time frame.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner-Temple land was acquired by the fifth respondent for the purpose of Metro Rail Project, however, as on date, the petitioner has not been paid with any compensation and despite the petitioner has been making representations seeking for compensation, the same has not evoked any response, hence, this Writ Petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1, 3 to 5 submitted that the respondents are in the process of determining the compensation payable to the petitioner-Temple, however, since, in the interregnum, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking for compensation, it is assured that the claim of the petitioner would be considered in accordance with law, and hence, seeks for appropriate orders in that regard.

5. I have given due considerations to the submissions made on either side and also perused the materials placed on record, particularly, the counter affidavit filed by the fourth respondent.

6. Admittedly, the Special District Revenue Officer (LA) and Land Acquisition Officer, viz., fifth respondent has published a public notice under Section 3 (2) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 for the proposed acquisition of land measuring an extent of 647 sq.mts in S.No.9/1 and 21.78 sq.mts in S.No.11/1 for Metro Rail Project for the purpose of construction of a ramp in that location. Pursuant thereto, a show cause notice was issued to the registered land holders calling for their objections and public hearing was conducted on 08.01.2025.

7. Thereafter, the Special District Revenue Officer (LA) and Land Acquisition Officer, Chennai Metro Rail Limited has published a notification under Section 3 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazatte. As consequenc