A RADHAKRISHNAN Vs. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, REVENUE DEPARTMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr.A.Radhakrishan, the petitioner, party appearing in person, Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 7 and 9 and Mr.P.Athimoola Pandian, learned counsel appearing for the eighth respondent-Temple.

(2.) The petitioner, by way of this writ petition, has sought for issuance of a direction to the District Collector, Karur, Karur District, to remove the encroachments made in the Temple lands in Survey Nos.748, 779, 783, 784, 790, 793 and 797 having an extent of 16.36.0 hectare land in Thanthoni Village, Karur Taluk and District.

(3.) The petitioner's contention was that the lands which were owned by the Temple was taken by the Government for the purpose of constructing the office of the District Collector and other offices, without payment of compensation. Due to the certain objections being raised, pursuant to the orders passed by this Court, it appears that a Committee was constituted to examine as to what would be the reasonable compensation, which can be paid to the Temple for having taken over the land to be utilised for public purpose. The Committee recommended that a sum of Rs.56,000/- per acre can be paid as compensation. Since this amount was found to be very low, the petitioner pursued this writ petition and stated that all the constructions which have been put in the said property have to be removed and the lands are vest with the Temple. The Executive Officer of the Temple filed an affidavit giving details of the amount of compensation which was paid to the private persons, the value of the land as per the guideline maintained in the office of the Sub-Registrar, Karur and the present market value.