Summary: The Madras High Court confirmed the increase in land compensation for a property in Tirupattur, originally acquired for housing the poor. This decision was made on January 23, 2026, following an appeal by the Special Tahsildar.
The case revolves around land owned by K.A. Kalil Ahamed in Thiruthimedu Village, Tirupattur Taluk. The government acquired 1.73 acres of this land to provide housing for houseless Adi Dravidars. Initially, the payment offered was set at Rs.30,000 per acre, based on sales data from the past three years.
K.A. Kalil Ahamed disagreed with the valuation and accepted the payment under protest. Seeking a higher amount, the case was referred to the Sub Court, Tirupattur, which increased the payment. This decision was challenged by the Special Tahsildar, leading to the current appeal.
Mr. G. Nanmaran, representing the Special Tahsildar, argued that the Sub Court's valuation was too high, increasing to Rs.40 per square foot. He claimed the court relied on questionable sale records and didn't deduct enough for development costs. He also noted the land was undeveloped at the time it was taken.
Represented by Mr. R. Prabakar, the respondents argued the land's potential was underestimated. The Sub Court's decision was justified by the land's proximity to amenities and its location in a residential area near Tirupattur–Tiruvannamalai Highway.
The High Court, with Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and K. Kumaresh Babu, found no fault in the Sub Court's reasoning. The decision to increase compensation was based on evidence and previous legal cases, considering the land's potential for development and similar sales.
"The trial court rightly appreciated the oral and documentary evidence and enhanced the compensation based on the sale price of comparable lands."
The appeal was dismissed, and the increased compensation was upheld. The Special Tahsildar was ordered to deposit the compensation within six weeks, allowing the respondents to withdraw it legally.
