Case Note & Summary
The petitioners, M.Ramya and Navneethan, filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before the Madras High Court challenging proceedings No.Mu.Mu.No.840/2025/AA dated 21.08.2025 passed by the third respondent, the Assistant Commissioner of Urban Land Ceiling and Urban Land Tax, Poonamallee and Ambattur Zone. The first petitioner held lands in excess of the ceiling limit under the Tamil Nadu Urban Land Ceiling Act, 1998, and the second petitioner claimed to be an innocent purchaser of a plot bearing Survey No.423, Plot No.205, Kuppusamy Street, Golden George Nagar Annex, Chennai, measuring 5.5 cents (2400 sq.ft) in Mogappair Village, Ambattur Taluk. The impugned order made it clear that the second petitioner's purchase could not be regularized. The petitioners sought to quash the order and direct regularization under the innocent purchasers scheme as per G.O.Ms.No.565 dated 26.09.2008. During the pendency of the writ petition, the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.149, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Urban Land Ceiling Wing, dated 09.02.2026. The court, after hearing both sides, observed that the petitioners could submit a fresh application under the new G.O. and directed the third respondent to dispose of such application on merits and in accordance with law within six weeks. The writ petition was disposed of without costs, and the connected miscellaneous petitions were ordered accordingly.
Headnote
A) Urban Land Ceiling - Innocent Purchaser - Regularization - Tamil Nadu Urban Land Ceiling Act, 1998 - G.O.Ms.No.565 dated 26.09.2008 and G.O.Ms.No.149 dated 09.02.2026 - The second petitioner, an innocent purchaser, sought regularization of a plot purchased from the first petitioner who held excess land. The authority rejected regularization. The High Court, noting the new G.O.Ms.No.149, permitted the petitioners to submit a fresh application and directed the third respondent to dispose of it within six weeks. Held that the writ petition is disposed of without adjudicating merits, granting liberty to apply under the new G.O. (Paras 2-4).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the impugned order rejecting regularization of purchase by an innocent purchaser under the Tamil Nadu Urban Land Ceiling Act is sustainable and whether the petitioners are entitled to regularization under G.O.Ms.No.565 dated 26.09.2008 or the new G.O.Ms.No.149 dated 09.02.2026.
Final Decision
The writ petition is disposed of. The petitioners may submit a fresh application under G.O.Ms.No.149 dated 09.02.2026, and the third respondent shall dispose of it on merits and in accordance with law within six weeks. No costs. W.M.P. No.20662 of 2026 is ordered subject to payment of single Court fee and W.M.P. No.20663 of 2026 is closed.
Law Points
- Urban Land Ceiling
- Innocent Purchaser
- Regularization
- Government Order
- Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus
