Sri Dhanalakshmi Memorial Educational Trust v. The Director

Madras HC25 Mar 2026WP/11921/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras HC (Abdul Quddhose J., 25-03-2026, WP No. 11921 of 2026): land of Sri Dhanalakshmi Memorial Educational Trust, Mannargudi (TS Nos. 3994/2 and 4064, 39,620 sq.ft) notified for acquisition in 1991 under Mannargudi Municipality Detailed Development Plan No. 4 released under Section 38, Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act 1971, after more than 25 years of inaction; writ petition allowed, no costs.

What did the court decide?

Declaration that the petitioner's land (extent 39,620 sq. feet, Town Survey Nos. 3994/2 and 4064, Block No. 61, Mannargudi Taluk, Thiruvarur District) is released from land acquisition under Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971; writ petition allowed with no costs. ¶¶30

Sri Dhanalakshmi Memorial Educational Trust Vs The Director — Madras HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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WP No. 11921 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 25-03-2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE WP NO. 11921 OF 2026

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Sri Dhanalakshmi Memorial Educational Trust Represented through the Managing Trustee, Shanmukarajan, S/o. R.S. Senthilkumar, No.108, Natarajapillai Street, Mannargudi, Mannargudi Taluk, Thiruvarur District -614 001

Petitioner(s)

1. The Director

Directorate of Town and Country Planning, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floor, C and E Market Road, Koyembedu, Chennai-600 107

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2.The Assistant Director /The Member Secretary, Town and Country Planning District Collector Office Campus, Thiruvarur -640 004

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Respondent(s)

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PRAYER

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to direct the Respondent No.1 and 2 to release the Petitioners land with an extent of 39,620 sq. feet in Town Survey No.3994/2 and Town Survey No.4064 which is situated at Block No.61 Wart No.1 Kopiralayam Mannargudi Taluk, Thiruvarur District treating the Mannargudi Municipality Detailed Development Plant No.4 as lapsed under Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

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

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WP No. 11921 of 2026

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For Petitioner(s): Mr. R.Karunanidhi For Respondent(s): Ms.Meera Arumugam,AGP

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ORDER

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This writ petition has been filed seeking for release of the land, morefully disclosed in the prayer to this writ petition from the land acquisition as per the provisions of Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

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2.According to the petitioner, despite a notification having been issued for

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land acquisition by the respondents as early as in the year 1991, no further steps are taken by the respondents pursuant to the said notification. Since more than 25 years has lapsed from the date of the notification, the petitioner seeks for release of the land from land acquisition as per the provisions of Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

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3.Ms.C.Meera Arumugam, learned Additional Government Pleader

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accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. She would submit that no steps were taken subsequent to the issuance of the notification, referred to supra, in the year 1991 for acquiring the petitioner’s land.

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

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WP No. 11921 of 2026

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4.In view of the same, the petitioner has satisfied the requirements of

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Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 and hence,

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they are entitled for release of the land from the land acquisition as per the

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provisions of Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

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5.Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed by declaring that the land, morefully described in the prayer to this petition is released from the land acquisition under Section 38 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. No costs.

25-03-2026

vga

1.The Director Directorate of Town and Country Planning, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floor, C and E Market Road, Koyembedu, Chennai-600 107

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2.The Assistant Director /The Member Secretary, Town and Country Planning District Collector Office Campus, Thiruvarur -640 004

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

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