VIJAYAN SOANS Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

(2.) Mr.Vr.Shanmuganathan, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 1 to 4 and Mr.T.S.Mohammed Mohideen, learned standing counsel for Kodaikanal Municipality, accepts notice on behalf of the fifth respondent.

(3.) The petitioner in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition would aver among other things that the property, which is the subject matter of this writ petition, was originally purchased by his grandfather, namely, Mr.A.J.Appasamy, through a sale deed, dated 30.06.1926 together with mud- walled thatched houses bearing Door Nos.449 and 451 and it is also subjected to statutory limits by the Kodaikanal Municipality, bearing Assessment No.770. The petitioner would further aver that his grandfather had demolished one of the said houses, bearing Door No.449 and erected a tin- sheeted building in the year 1930 and used the said building for educational purpose, educating villagers and tribes and later on, the old building bearing Door No.451 has been demolished in the year 1932 and in the year 1933, a stone building has been constructed and his grandfather constructed a shelter for the school staff in the year 1940. In the year 1968, the grandfather of the petitioner leased out the buildings in favour of the Government for the purpose of running the youth hostel.