Diocese of Chingleput Society v. The State of Tamilnadu

O R D E R (Order of the Court was made by S.M.Subramaniam J.) Revenue Authorities, during inspection, found that petitioners have encroached upon a Government Poramboke land and constructed religious institutions. The Commissioner of Land Administration conducted an enquiry and passed an order, holding that petitioners are encroachers. The said order came to be challenged in the present writ petition. Page3 of 4

¶2Mrs.Hema Sampath, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr.K.V.Muthu Visakan, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners would submit that an application has been preferred before the competent authority offering an alternate land in lieu of the land occupied by petitioners. In the event of accepting the proposal, no further enforcement action would be necessary.

¶3Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the proposal to accept the alternate land offered by petitioners has been forwarded by the competent authority to the Government. The Government has to take a final decision in the matter.

¶4In view of the development, that the application submitted by petitioners, offering an alternate land in lieu of the land in their occupation has been forwarded to the Government and the same is pending with the Government for passing necessary orders, no further adjudication needs to be undertaken in respect of grounds raised in the present Writ Petition. The petitioners are at liberty to pursue the application that is pending with the Government. Page4 of 4 S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J. AND C.KUMARAPPAN J. AR With the above observations, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, W.M.P.No.24078 of 2022 is ordered and other connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. (S.M.S.,J.) (C.K.,J.) 10-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order AR To:

¶1The Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Revenue Department, Fort St. George Chennai - 600 009

¶2The commissioner of Land Administration Ezhilagam Chepauk, Chennai 05

¶3The District Collector, Chengalpattu District

¶4The District Revenue Officer, Chengalpattu District

¶5The Revenue Divisional officer Madurantakam Revenue Division, Chengalpattu District

¶6Tahsildar Madurantakam Taluk, Chengalpattu District

¶7The Revenue Inspector Madurantakam Taluk Chengalpattu District. W.P.No.25132 of 2022

2026:MHC:568 Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN W.P.No.25132 of 2022 and W.M.P.NOS.24078, 24080 and 24082 of 2022 1. Diocese of Chingleput society Represented by its Vicar General Rev. Fr. backiya Regis Catholic Bishop house Kancheepuram Road Thimmavaram Chengalpattu 603 101 2. Mazhai Malai Madha Arul Thalam Represented by its priest Rev.FR. R. Leo Edwin Acharapakkam chengalpattu District 603 301 ..Petitioner(s) -vs- 1. The State of TamilNadu Rep. by its secretary to Governmet Revenue Department Fort St. George Chennai 600 009 2. The commissioner of Land Administration Ezhilagam Chepauk chennai 05 3. The District Collector Chengalpattu District 4. The District Revenue officer Chengalpattu District 5. The Revenue Divisional officer Madurantakam Revenue Division, Chengalpattu District Page2 of 4 6. Tahsildar Madurantakam Taluk Chengalpattu District 7. The Revenue Inspector Madurantakam Taluk Chengalpattu District ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Calling for the records of the 2nd respondent pertaining to the impugned Letter No. F2 / 1237399 / 2021 dated 08.10.2021 and the consequential impugned Letter No. F2 / 2974925 / 2021 dated 26.08.2022 quash the same and consequently direct the 1st respondent to consider the petitioners proposal for exchange / perission as sought by the petitioner institution and accept the new proposal of exchange of lands dated 04.07.2022 for S. no. 45/4 and S. no. 46/3 of Pallipettai village, madurantakam Taluk chengalpattu District For Petitioners: Mrs.Hema Sampath, Senior Counsel For Mr.K.V.Muthu Visakan For Respondents: Mr.T.Arun Kumar Addl. Govt. Pleader