Disposed

Mr.v.Venkatakrishnan, v. The State of Tamil Nadu

Madras HC13 Mar 2024WP/361/2018

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court disposed of writ petitions challenging an order by the District Collector directing the Chennai Corporation to maintain public places in an approved layout. Relying on Supreme Court precedent, the Court directed the Commissioner of Chennai Corporation to verify layout plans, protect common areas, and resume any encroached or alienated public property within three months.

What did the court decide?

Directions issued to Commissioner of Chennai Corporation to verify layout plans, protect common areas, and resume encroached/alienated public property within 3 months.

Mr.v.Venkatakrishnan, Vs The State of Tamil Nadu — Municipal and Town Planning | Madras HC (2024)

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2024:MHC:1449

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 13.03.2024

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM

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AND

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018 and

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W.M.P.Nos.412 to 422, 10103 & 10104 of 2018

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018:

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1.Mr.V.Venkatakrishnan

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... Petitioner (in WP.No.361/2018)

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2.Mr.V.Ramakrishnan

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... Petitioner

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(in WP.No.362/2018)

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3.Sujatha Mouli

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... Petitioner

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(in WP.No.363/2018)

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4.M/s.Madras Carbons Private Limited, Rep. by its Director K.Chandramouli, Having its registered Office at, Unit 211, Raheja Towers, No.177, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002 and Corporate Office at No.82, St. Marys' Road, Chennai 600 018.

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... Petitioner (in WP.No.364/2018)

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Vs.

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Page 1 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Secretary, Revenue Department, Secretary, Chennai.

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2.The District Collector, Kancheepuram, Office of District Collectorate, Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District.

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3.The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Thalamuthu Natarajan Building, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008.

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4.The Chairman,

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St. Thomas Mount Panchayat Union, Chitlapakkam, Chennai.

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5.The Commissioner of Police, Adithanar Road, Chennai – 600 008.

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6.The Tahsildhar, Shollinganallur, Chennai – 600 119.

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7.The Commissioner, Corporation of Chennai, Ripon Buildings, Chennai – 600 003.

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8.M/s.VGP Investments, Represented by its Partner Mr.Babudas, VGP House, VGP Pannerdas Salai, Saidapet, Chennai – 600 015.

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Page 2 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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9.Golden Sea View Residents, Welfare Association, Rep. by its Secretary, Mr.Krishna Rajendra, 82, I Main Road – Part III, VGP Golden Sea View Layout, Palavakkam, Chennai 600 041. ... Respondents (in 4 WPs)

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Common Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order dated 28.07.2017 in Na.Ka.11242/2017/No1 passed by the second respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to restore the possession back to the petitioners.

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	For Petitioners	: Mr.Vishnu Ramu (in WP.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018)
	For R1, R2, R4 to R6	: Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader (in WP.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018)
	For R3	: Mrs.P.Veena Suresh Standing Counsel [For CMDA] (in WP.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018)
	For R7	: Mrs.Aswini Devbi Standing Counsel [For GCC] (in WP.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018)
	For R8	: Mr.Balamurali M/s.Shivakumar and Suresh (in WP.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018)
	For R9	: Ms.S.P.Arthi
Page 3 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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(in WP.Nos.361 to 364 of 2018)

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W.P.No.8125 of 2018:

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1.M/s.VGP Investments, Rep. by its Partner Mr.V.G.P.Babudas, VGP Square, No.6, Dharmaraja Koil Street, Saidapet, Chennai – 600 015.

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... Petitioner

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Vs.

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1.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.

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2.The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Thalamuthu Natarajan Building, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008.

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3.The Deputy Director, Town and Country Planning, Chenglepet Zone, No.13, Dr.Varadharajan Street, Chenglepet – 1.

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4.The Tahsildar, Sholinganallur, Chennai – 600 119.

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5.The Revenue Officer-CumAssistant Commissioner, Zone – 14, Corporation of Chennai,

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Page 4 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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Chennai.

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6.The Chairman, St. Thomas Mount Panchayat Union, Chitlapakkam, Chennai.

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7.Golden Sea View Resident's, Welfare Association, Rep. by its Secretary, Mr.Krishna Rajendra, 82, I Main Road – Part III, VGP Golden Sea View Layout, Palavakkam, Chennai 600 041.

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8.The District Collector, Kancheepuram, Office of District Collectorate, Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District. ... Respondents

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Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the proceedings of the impugned order dated 28.07.2017 bearing in Ref.No.11242/2017/No1 passed by the 8^th respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to restore the possession back to the petitioner.

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For Petitioner : Mr.Bala Murali For M/s.Shivakumar and Suresh

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For R1, R3, R4, R6 & R6: Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mrs.P.Veena Suresh Standing Counsel [For CMDA]

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Page 5 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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For R5 : Mrs.Aswini Devbi Standing Counsel [For GCC] For R7 : Ms.S.P.Arthi

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COMMON ORDER

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[Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J. ]

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The proceedings dated 28.07.2017 issued by the District Collector,

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Kancheepuram stating that the Chennai Corporation has to initiate all appropriate actions in respect of the public places to be maintained in the approved layout.

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Such a proceedings issued without deciding the disputed issues on merits would not provide any cause for institution of writ proceedings. More so, the order impugned issued by the District Collector cannot cause any prejudice to the interest of the petitioners, since the District Collector asked the Chennai Corporation to initiate appropriate action.

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The issue involved in the present writ petition is about maintenance

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Page 6 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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of public places demarcated in the approved layout plan under the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. It is needless to state that the public utility places, streets, parks, children play area, community hall, etc., as provided in the approved plan is to be maintained for the purpose for which it was allotted. Those, public utility areas cannot be alienated by the promoters or by owners of the property.

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The law in this regard has been settled by the Hon'ble Supreme

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Court of India in the case of Association of Vasanth Apartments' Owners

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Vs. Gopinath and Others reported in MANU/SC/0122/2023 .

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Since the subject area is falling within the jurisdiction of Chennai Corporation, the Commissioner, Chennai Corporation is directed to verify the approved layout plan and earmark the public purpose areas and other common places for public usage including, streets, roads, parks, Open Space Reservation (O.S.R) lands etc., and initiate all appropriate actions to protect all those common areas. In the event of identifying any encroachments or alienation of such public areas further actions are to be initiated to resume the land by following the procedures as contemplated.

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Page 7 of 11

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.Nos.361 to 364 & 8125 of 2018

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In the event of identification of any encroachments or alienation of

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public properties, the Commissioner shall issue notice to the parties concerned, conduct an enquiry by affording opportunity and take a decision. Thereafter, initiate action to resume the public properties and for the usage of public at large in that locality. The Commissioner, Chennai Corporation is directed to complete the said exercise within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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