P. Malairajan v. The Government of Tamilnadu
Case brief
What is this about?
Madurai Airport expansion land acquisition; Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 (Act 10 of 1999) Sections 3(2), 4(1), 4(2), 4(3); RFCTLARR Act 2013 Sections 24, 38, 101 and Schedules 2 and 3; Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition Laws (Revival of Operation, Amendment and Validation) Act, 2019; G. Mohan Rao v. State of Tamil Nadu 2022 (12) SCC 696; C.S. Gobalakrishnan v. State of Tamil Nadu; Property Owners Association v. State of Maharashtra 2024 INSC 835; rehabilitation and resettlement; Scheduled Caste land owners; eviction and forcible dispossession; unjust enrichment; ex gratia enhanced compensation; Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme; writ of mandamus and declaration dismissed; public necessity; salus populi suprema lex.
What did the court decide?
All three writ petitions dismissed with directions: petitioners in WP(MD)Nos.29208 and 27922 of 2024 to vacate within two weeks, failing which the Government may take possession by force under Section 4 of the State Act, 10 of 1999; petitioners to submit consent letters to the Collector, Madurai District, within two weeks to receive the offered 2 cents of land; Collector to allot the 2 cents within a further two weeks on eligibility and issue orders for house construction under the scheme at State cost; no costs; connected miscellaneous petitions closed. WP(MD)No.28131 of 2024 also dismissed.