Proceed afresh to acquire Sasikala’s OMR land, says Madras HC – Times of India

CHENNAI: A highways department award, given as compensation for acquisition of land belonging to V K Sasikala on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), has been quashed by the Madras high court. A total of 8,438sqft of land owned by Sasikala at Paiyanur has been acquired for widening of OMR.
Allowing the plea moved by Sasikala challenging the order dated September 16, 2011, Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan granted liberty to the authorities to commence the proceeding afresh after giving notice to her in accordance with law.
The issue pertains to the land acquisition proceeding initiated under the Tamil Nadu Highways Act for widening the OMR.
Aggrieved, Sasikala gave a detailed objection to the land acquisition authority on January 18, 2010. On January 22, 2010, an inquiry was conducted under Section 15(2) of the Act before the Kancheepuram district collector. “The petitioner submitted objections to the collector, so far no reply has been given for them and hence, the inquiry is not valid,” senior advocate B Kumar, representing the petitioner, said. However, on September 15, 2011, she was informed of the award and asked to bring documents pertaining to the lands to receive the compensation, he said. Challenging the award, Sasikala moved the present plea.
Opposing it, the state submitted that the acquisition proceedings had been initiated lawfully, and all the legal procedures were followed. Though the proceedings have been completed, the land could not be taken into possession due to the pendency of the present petition, the state said. “Since the petitioner did not receive the notice for the award inquiry, the same was affixed on her property by the village administrative officer on May 6, 2011,” the government advocate said.