MANAGEMENT VASAMBADI ESTATE Vs. REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BOTH the writ petitions were filed by the Management of Vasambadi Estate at Yercaud. In the first writ petition (W.P.No.11327/2010), the challenge is made to the notice dated 05.05.2010 issued by the Tahsildar, Yercaud, the second respondent.

(2.) BY the impugned notice, the petitioner Estate was informed that the Revenue Divisional Officer, Salem had directed him to recover a sum of Rs.17,10,538.44 together with suit costs of Rs.300/- payable to one K.Thavasimuthu and 158 workers working in the Estate as arrears of land revenue. When a notice for hearing was given on 28.08.2009 before the second respondent, the representative of the Management sought 15 days' time for paying the said amount and despite extension of time was granted, they did not pay the amount. Thereafter, in the further enquiries held on 14.09.2009 and 20.10.2009, the petitioner Management did not appear and when the Tahsildar went to the house of the Estate Owner, through his staff, he was informed that he had gone to the hospital. Therefore, the petitioner was given a final warning to pay the amount on or before 13.05.2010, failing which revenue recovery proceedings will be initiated. It was thereafter, the distraint notice was given on 13.05.2010.

(3.) IT is claimed by the Management that they had deposited the amount of Rs.5,00,000/- before the Labour Court to the credit of C.P.No.117 of 2006.