M. DHANASEKARAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These writ petition are heard through Videoconferencing, on account of COVID-19 pandemic.

(2.) Since the parties and the issues involved in both the writ petitions are same, they are taken up together for hearing.

(3.) The petitioner was allotted with a Flat bearing No. H-1, Lloyds Colony on the rental basis under public quota by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (in short, "TNHB") in the year 2005. He has been paying the rent to the Board regularly. While so, on 15.07.2011, the Revenue Officer of the TNHB/second respondent herein had issued a notice to the petitioner calling for explanation as to why the allotment should not be cancelled on the allegation that the premises was found locked. The petitioner had given his explanation on 26.07.2011 stating that he, being a Money Collection Agent attached to a Travel Agency, had to travel outside the city of Madras and necessarily he had to lock the house and go. However, he had stated that he continued to reside in the said premises only. Based on the explanation, a personal enquiry was also held on 22.09.2011, on which date, the petitioner had produced his telephone bill, LPG Supply receipt, electricity bill payment receipt, etc., in support of his contention. However, on 01.11.2011, the second respondent passed an order cancelling the allotment calling upon the petitioner to vacate the premises within 30 days. The order was not served on the petitioner, but was pasted on the door on 02.11.2011 and the second respondent also locked and sealed the premises.