Case Note & Summary
The plaintiff, D. Shankar, instituted Civil Suit No. 725 of 2018 before the Madras High Court seeking a declaration of ownership over three parcels of land (Schedule A, B, and C) situated in Saligramam Village, Chennai, and consequential compensation of Rs. 4,93,94,080 together with 12% annual interest for portions acquired by the defendants. The suit was filed under Order VII Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and Order IV Rule 1 of the Original Side Rules of the Madras High Court. The plaintiff traced his title through a series of transactions beginning with the purchase of the Grama Natham land by Munusamy Gramini in 1932. Thereafter, Munusamy Gramini’s sons sold parts of the land to Krishnaveni Ammal and her husband Devaraj Gramini; the plaintiff is the adopted son of Krishnaveni Ammal. In 1982, a portion of the land in T.S. No. 11/2 was acquired for the Inner Ring Road project, and compensation was paid to Krishnaveni Ammal under Award No. 6/1986 dated 30.07.1986. The plaintiff alleged that the suit properties were subsequently acquired by the State, represented by various government departments and the Chennai Metro Rail Limited, without compensating him. The reliefs sought included a declaration of ownership and direction to the defendants (Government of Tamil Nadu and its officials, along with Chennai Metro Rail Limited) to pay the claimed sum jointly and severally. The seventh defendant was impleaded by order dated 24.06.2019. The case was reserved for judgment on 23.01.2025 and pronounced in February 2025 by a single judge. The judgment text available only covers the plaint averments and procedural details; the court’s findings, reasoning, and final decision are not included in the extracted material.
Issue of Consideration
Civil Suit No.725 of 2018
Case Details
2025 LawText (MAD) (02) 199
Civil Suit No. 725 of 2018
Dr. Justice G. Jayachandran
Plaintiff: Mr. V. Raghavachari, Senior Counsel for M/s V. Srimathi; D1 to D6: Mr. R. Ramanlal, Additional Advocate General, assisted by Dr. S. Suriya, Additional Government Pleader; D7: Mr. P. Wilson, Senior Counsel for M/s Rita Chandrasekar
1. The Government of Tamil Nadu, rep. by Secretary, Planning and Development; 2. The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department; 3. The Additional Chief Secretary, Commissioner of Land Administration; 4. The District Collector, Chennai; 5. The Tahsildar, Mambalam Taluk; 6. The Special Tahsildar and Land Acquisition Officer, Chennai Metro Rail Limited; 7. Chennai Metro Rail Limited
Subscribe to unlock Case Details (Citation, Judge, Date & more)
Subscribe Now
Nature of Litigation
Civil suit for declaration of ownership and consequential compensation for land acquired by the government and Chennai Metro Rail Limited.
Remedy Sought
The plaintiff sought a declaration that he is the owner of the Schedule A, B, and C properties and a direction to the defendants to jointly and severally pay Rs. 4,93,94,080 with 12% interest per annum from the date of plaint till realization, along with costs.
Filing Reason
The plaintiff claimed that the suit properties, which he asserts ownership over, were acquired without payment of compensation to him.
Judgment Excerpts
Civil Suit has been filed under Order VII, Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure and Order IV, Rule 1 of the Original Side Rules of the Madras High Court, praying to pass a judgment and decree:- (a) Declare that the plaintiff is the owner of the Schedule A, B and C mentioned properties and consequentially, direct the defendants to jointly or severally pay a sum of Rs.4,93,94,080.00 together with interest at 12% per annum from the date of plaint till the date of realization towards compensation for the lands acquired; (b) To direct the defendants to pay the costs of the suit.
According to the plaintiff, the suit land classified as Grama Natham situated at S.No:11, 12 and 13 of Block 9, Saligramam Village, Madras, came to be occupied by his predecessors several years ago. On 01.10.1932, the suit property was purchased by one Munusamy Gramini from S.Ranganatha Pillai. Thereafter, the sons of Munusamy Gramini sold a portion of it jointly and after partition among them, they sold their share individually to Tmt.Krishnaveni Ammal and her husband Devaraj Gramini. The plaintiff is the adopted son of Krishnaveni ammal. In the year 1982, a portion of the property in T.S.No:11/2 was acquired by the State for Inner Ring Road project. Recognising her interest in the property, compensation was paid to Krishnaveni Ammal vide, Award proceedings No:6/1986, dated 30.07.1986.
Procedural History
The suit was filed in 2018. The seventh defendant (Chennai Metro Rail Limited) was impleaded by order dated 24.06.2019 in Application No. 3966/2019. The case was reserved for judgment on 23.01.2025 and pronounced in February 2025.
Acts & Sections
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: Order VII, Rule 1
- Madras High Court Original Side Rules: Order IV, Rule 1
