W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 08.10.2025 CORAM THE HON'BLE Mr. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 M.Krishnan ... Petitioner in W.P.No.37524 of 2025 Chinnasamy ... Petitioner in W.P.No.37526 of 2025 Anjiyammal ... Petitioner in W.P.No.37527 of 2025 Vs. 1. The District Collector Collectorate, Sathuvachari, Vellore District. 2. The District Collector Collectorate, Thirupattur, Thirupattur District. 3. The Land Acquisition Officer Office Of The Special District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Vellore District. ... Respondents in all petitions Common Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to refer the petitioners representation dated 09.08.2024 & 20.08.2024 to the 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 competent reference Court under Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act 2001 read with Section 18 of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 within a time frame fixed by this Honble Court For Petitioner in all petitions : Ms.Rajkumari.D For Respondent in all petitions : Mr.P.Sathish, AGP COMMON ORDER This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents to refer the petitioners' representations dated 09.08.2024 & 20.08.2024 to the competent reference Court under Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act 2001 read with Section 18 of Land Acquisition Act, 1894. 2. Mr.P.Sathish, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice on behalf of the respondents. 3. By consent of the parties, the main writ petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that in this case, the subject lands, belongs to the petitioners, were acquired by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001. In this regard, an award was passed on 28.06.2024 by fixing compensation for subject lands. However, since the compensation amount is inadequate and meagre, the petitioners submitted their representations dated 09.08.2024 & 20.08.2024, requesting them to enhance the compensation amount. The said representations were not referred to the Competent Court till date. Hence, this petition. 5. In reply, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent would submit that in this case, the petitioners' representations were filed well within the time limit prescribed under Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 and hence, he requests this Court to pass appropriate orders. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents and also perused the materials available on record. 7. In the case on hand, the subject lands, belongs to the petitioners, were acquired by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001. In this regard, an award was passed on 28.06.2024 by fixing compensation for subject lands. However, since the compensation amount is inadequate and meagre, the petitioners submitted their representations dated 09.08.2024 & 20.08.2024, requesting them to enhance the compensation amount. The said representations were not referred to the Competent Court till date. 8. In view of the above, this Court directs the respondents to refer the petitioners' representations dated 09.08.2024 & 20.08.2024 to the Competent Court, under Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act 2001 read with Section 18 of Land Acquisition Act, 1894, within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 9. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No cost. 08.10.2025 Speaking/Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No Neutral Citation : Yes / No nsa To 1. The District Collector Collectorate, Sathuvachari, Vellore District. 2. The District Collector Collectorate, Thirupattur, Thirupattur District. 3. The Land Acquisition Officer Office Of The Special District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Vellore District. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 KRISHNAN RAMASAMY.J., nsa W.P.Nos.37524, 37526 & 37527 of 2025 08.10.2025 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis