Chennai: The Madras high court has come to the rescue of four persons who failed to change the patta after purchasing prime land acquired by Chennai mass rapid transit system near Thirumailai railway station.
Justice Manikumar pointed out that the lands were acquired from the petitioners without notice to them as the mutation of records was not done.
The authorities should refer the dispute over apportionment of the compensation amount to the principal civil court for adjudication.
P. Kannan, P. Ramesh, S. Purushothaman and D. Prabu had owned the lands near Thirumailai station for several years.
When the land was acquired for the MRTS phase-II project, they did not receive any information since they did not change the names in the patta.
However, the intimation was sent to the previous owner. Hence, they filed a petition with the revenue officials. As there was no response, they filed the present writ petition.
They contended that the erstwhile owners had no right to receive the compensation. They sought the court to distribute the compensation to them.
Justice Manikumar said the authorities could consider the representation of the land owners in accordance with the Metro Railways Act 1978 and take a decision in four weeks.
