G.Balasubramanian v. The District Collector
Case brief
What is this about?
Encroachment notice under Section 128 Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act 1998 challenged for want of pre-decisional opportunity; Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) treated notice as show cause notice, allowed explanation within 10 days, directed final decision and completion within 12 weeks; writ disposed, no costs; natural justice; Tirunelveli Municipal Corporation; certiorarified mandamus.
What did the court decide?
Impugned encroachment notice treated as a show cause notice under Section 128 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998; petitioner given liberty to submit explanation/defence statement with documents within ten days; competent authority directed to consider it, take a final decision, remove any encroachment or unauthorized construction identified, and complete the entire exercise within twelve weeks; writ petition disposed of with no costs and connected miscellaneous petition (W.M.P.(MD) No.11039 of 2025) closed.