Madras High Court
Petroleum Corporation Limited Land ... vs The State Of Tamil Nadu on 11 March, 2026
Author: G. Jayachandran
Bench: G. Jayachandran
WP No. 21658 of 2022
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN
and
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SHAMIM AHMED
WP Nos. 27986 of 2021, 21658, 6740 & 21995 of 2022 and 18708 of 2024,
and
WMP Nos.29552 & 29553 of 2021, 20670, 6822, 21021 & 21022 of 2022,
and 20523, 20520 & 20519 of 2024
WP.No.21658 of 2022
Petroleum Corporation Limited Land Acquisition
Land Owners and Farmers Rehabilitation Welfare
Sangam Rep by its secretary
A. Sakthivel A/o. Arunachalam Having office at
No. 74 Pannangudi Thirumarugal Block
Nagapattinam District 611 002
..Petitioner
Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu
Represented by its Secretary
Home Department,
Fort St. George,
Chennai Tamil Nadu.
2. The Commissioner,
Land Administration Department,
2nd Floor Ezhilagam Chepauk,
Chenani Tamil Nadu -600 005.
3. The District Collector
Nagapattinam District,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
4. The Land Acquisition Officer
District Revenue Officer,
Collectorate, Nagapattinam,
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
5. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit 4,
District Collector office First Floor,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 003.
6. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-1,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
7. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasidhar office Unit-2,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
8. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-3,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu-611 001
9. The Sub Registrar
Nagoor Sub Registrar Office,
Nagoor, Nagapattinam District
..Respondents
WP No. 18708 of 2024
1. Sakthivel
2. Sathiya
3. Saravanaperumal
4. Gopinath
5. Murugesan
6. Vijayaraj
7. Kalaiselvi
8. Manickavel
9. Balaiah
10.Murugavel
11.Usharani
12.Ramani
13.Sakthivel
14.R.Saranya
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
15.Vijaya
16.R.Durairaj
17.Mohamed Naina Maricar
18.Sameem Nachiyar
19.Ramalingam
20.Kalaiyarasan
21.Rengasamy
22.Anbudurai
23.Packirisamy
24.P.Nandhini
25.Amutha
26.Madhavan
27.Nirmal
28.Dhanasekaran
29.Marimuthu
30.Arunagiri
31.Ambigapathi
32.Gobalakrishnan
33.Selvarani
34.Suriya
35.Meenatchisundaram
36.Yuvaraj
37.Suvitha
38.Thangamani
39.Sekar
40.Suganya
41.Srinivasan
42.Saravanan
43.Ramesh
44.Santhanayaki
45.Eswari
46.Elamaran
47.Kalidass
48.Selventhiran
49.Abitha Begum
50.Muruganandham
51.Muthukumaran
52.Sowrirajan
53.Yuvaraj
54.Perumalsamy
55.Madamuthu
56.Jayaraj
57.Kudiyarasi
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
58.Palanivelrajan
59.Manikandan
60.Rajeshwari
61.Rajendiran
62.Mahalingam
63.P.Rengaiyan
64.Tamilselvi
65.Buvaneswari
66.Ramesh
67.Backiyanathan
68.Maheshwaran
69.Mahaveeran
70.Geethapriya
71.Vijayarani
72.Neelamegam
73.Amutha
74.Jayalakshmi
75.Vinodhini
76.Natarajan
77.Devendiran
78.Vinoth
79.Sivakumar
80.Ravikumar
81.Vasanthi
82.Lakshmi Narayanan
83.Gunasekaran
84.Navajothi
85.Ramalingam
86.Ummukolusum
87.Kamal Basha
88.Nather Nisha
89.Mohammad Zakariya
90.Abdul Kader
91.Mohamed Musthafa
92.Senthilkumar
93.Sathyaprakash
94.Vijayasamy
95.Sathyakumar
96.Buvaneswari
97.Murugesan
98.Govindaraj
99.Swathi
100. Gunasekaran
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
101. Ramesh
102. Veeravel
103. Mani
104. Raja
105. Geetha
106. Megala
107. Panchavarnam
108. Michael
109. Sathishkumar
110. Hemavathy
111. Aarthi
112. Sureka
113. Nivedhitha
114. Rajalakshm
115. Ramesh
116. Vadivelan
117. Shyamala
118. Iniyan
119. Syed Johara Beevi
120. Nabisathul Misreya
121. Minor. Kaviya Sree
122. Gopinath
123. Suganya
124. Mohamed Mansoor
125. Kalaiselvi
126. Rajarethinam
127. Veerappan
128. Abinaya
129. Manjula
130. Ajithkumar
131. Arumugam
..Petitioners
Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu
Represented by its Additional Chief Secretary,
Industries Investment Promotion and
Commerce ( MIA-1) Department,
Fort St. George,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
2. The Commissioner,
Land Administration Department,
2nd Floor Ezhilagam Chepauk,
Chenani Tamil Nadu -600 005.
3. The District Collector
Nagapattinam District,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
4. The Land Acquisition Officer
District Revenue Officer,
Collectorate, Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
5. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit 4,
District Collector office First Floor,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 003.
6. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-1,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
7. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasidhar office Unit-2,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
8. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-3,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu-611 001
..Respondents
WP No. 27986 of 2021
Petroleum Corporation Ltd
Land Acquisition, Land Owners and Farmers
Rehabilitation Welfare Sangam Rep by its
Secretary Mr. A. Sakthivel, S/o. Arunachalam,
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
No. 54, Panangudi Thirumarugal Block,
Nagapattinam District - 611002.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu
Represented by its Secretary,
Fort St. George,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
2. The Commissioner,
Land Administration Department,
2nd Floor Ezhilagam Chepauk,
Chenani Tamil Nadu -600 005.
3. The District Collector
Nagapattinam District,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
4. The Land Acquisition Officer
District Revenue Officer,
Collectorate, Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
5. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit 4,
District Collector office First Floor,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 003.
6. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-1,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
7. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasidhar office Unit-2,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
8. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-3,
Revenue Divisional Office,
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu-611 001The State of
Tamil Nadu
9. Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited,
Represented by its Company Secretary,
No.536, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600018.
(R9 impleaded vide order dated 06.04.2022
made in WMP.No.6581/2022 in
WP.No.27986/2021 by MDIJ)
..Respondent(s)
WP No. 6740 of 2022
Petroleum Corporation Limited Land Acquisition,
Land Owners and Farmers, Rehabilitation Welfare
Sangam Panankudi, Rep by its Secretary
Mr.A. Sakthivel, S/o.Arunachalam, Having Office
at No.54, Panangudi Thirumarugal block,
Nagpattinam District- 611002.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu
Represented by its Secretary
Home Department,
Fort St. George,
Chennai Tamil Nadu.
2. The Commissioner,
Land Administration Department,
2nd Floor Ezhilagam Chepauk,
Chenani Tamil Nadu -600 005.
3. The District Collector
Nagapattinam District,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
4. The Land Acquisition Officer
District Revenue Officer,
Collectorate, Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
__________
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
5. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit 4,
District Collector office First Floor,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 003.
6. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-1,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
7. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasidhar office Unit-2,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
8. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-3,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu-611 001.
..Respondent(s)
WP No. 21995 of 2022
Petroleum Corporation Limited Land Acquisition,
Land Owners and Farmers Rehabilitation Welfare
Sangam Rep. by its Secretary A.Sakthivel,
S/o.Arunachalam, having office at No.54,
Panangudi Thirumarugal Block,
Nagapattinam District-611 002.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu
Represented by its Additional Chief Secretary,
Industries Investment Promotion and
Commerce ( MIA-1) Department,
Fort St. George,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
2. The Commissioner,
Land Administration Department,
2nd Floor Ezhilagam Chepauk,
Chenani Tamil Nadu -600 005.
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
3. The District Collector
Nagapattinam District,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
4. The Land Acquisition Officer
District Revenue Officer,
Collectorate, Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-611 003.
5. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit 4,
District Collector office First Floor,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 003.
6. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-1,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
7. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasidhar office Unit-2,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-611 001.
8. Special Thasildhar (CPCL Land Acquisition)
Special Thasildhar office Unit-3,
Revenue Divisional Office,
Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu-611 001
..Respondent(s)
WP.No.21658 of 2022
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing respondents herein from
registering any document with respect of land acquisition proceedings (CPCL
Land acquisition) initiated by the respondents 2 to 8 herein till the disposal of
writ petitions pending before this Honble Court in W.P. No. 27986 of 2021
W.P.No. 6740 of 2022, W.P. No. 19351 of 2022 and W.P. No.19445 of 2022.
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
WP No. 18708 of 2024
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying to issue a Writ of Certioari, call for the records of the Award Nos. 01
/2023 (Panangudi Algu 1, Panangudi Alagu 2, Goburajapuram ) 02/2023
Narimanam in Na.Ka.No 7807 / 2020 / LA / CPCL / Alagu 4, dated 30.04.2023
passed by the 4th respondent herein with regard to CPCL Land Acquisition
proceedings and quash the same.
WP No. 27986 of 2021
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents and related
agencies appoint Three Member Committee head of retired High Court Judge
along with Experts in land and agriculture and determined the Market price -
market value - open market value employment for suitable persons in the
premises and ensure the development of the affected local area (like road,
schools, colleges, religious places, historical monuments and pollution etc., and
submits the report before this Honourable Court.
WP No. 6740 of 2022
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the Notice in
Na.Ka. No. 7807 / 2020 CPCL (LA) -Unit-4 dated 24.01.2022 issued by the 4 th
respondent under section 7 (2) of Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial
Purpose Act 1997 and further direct the respondents herein to fix the open
market value before conducting enquiry under Section 7 (2).
WP No. 21995 of 2022
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying to issue a Writ of Certioari, to call for the records and to quash the G.O.
(D) No.72 Industries Investment Promotion and Commerce (MIA-1)
Department dated 3.8.2022 issued by the 1st respondent herein with regard to
CPCL Land Acquisition proceedings.
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WP No. 21658 of 2022
In all Cases
For Petitioners: Mr.V.N.Subramaniam
For Respondents: Mr. Yogesh Kannadasan
Additional Government Pleader
COMMON ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by Dr.G.Jayachandran J.) These Writ Petitions have been filed by a registered association claiming to be an association to represent the welfare of the landowners and farmers whose land were acquired by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited for the establishment of a crude oil refinery in Nagapattinam, under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997.
2. A vast extent of land was acquired and it appears that most of the landowners entered into private negotiations with the acquiring authority and settled the issue. However, under the guise of an association, the present writ petitions have been filed seeking adequate compensation by following the prescribed procedure to fix the market value and arrive at a fair compensation.
3. Apparently the acquisition is not being challenged. Further, the demand for adequate and fair compensation was not made by the individual landowners, but by the association, which claims its members are the affected landowners.
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4. The counter-affidavit filed by the respondents clearly show that the land was acquired for a public purpose following the due process of law and that the landowners have been adequately compensated. If at all any individual is aggrieved by the inadequacy of the compensation, they have a remedy under Section 8 of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997, to seek a reference to the Court.
5. Since disputed questions of fact are involved, these writ petitions are not maintainable. The prayer in these writ petitions clearly show that the intention of the association is to stall the acquisition process by seeking a mandamus to prevent registration of any documents with respect to the land acquired till the disposal of the writ petition. The association submitted a representation to the Sub-Registrar making a similar request soon after filing these writ petitions.
6. We find no bona fides in these writ petitions. Furthermore, the association has no locus standi to file these petitions, when the matter relates to the personal rights of individuals who are entitled to agitate their cause independently under Section 7 of the Act.
7. For these reasons, we find no merit in these writ petitions.
Accordingly, these Writ Petitions stand dismissed. Consequently, the connected __________ Page13 of 16 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 17/03/2026 12:01:49 pm ) WP No. 21658 of 2022 Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. No costs. The dismissal of these writ petitions will not stand in the way of individual landowners from seeking for appropriate remedies under the relevant provisions of law.
(G.J.,J.) (S.S.A.,J.) 11-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No rpl To
1. The Secretary State of Tamil Nadu Home Department, Fort St. George Chennai Tamil Nadu
2. The Additional Chief Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu Industries Investment Promotion and Commerce (MIA-1) Department, Fort st. George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
3. The commissioner, Land Administration Department, 2nd Floor Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chenani, Tamil Nadu.
4. The District Collector Nagapattinam District, Nagapattinam Tamil Nadu 611 003.
5. The Land Acquisition Officer District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611 003 __________ Page14 of 16 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 17/03/2026 12:01:49 pm ) WP No. 21658 of 2022
6. Special Tahsildar (CPCL land Acquisition) Special Tahsildar Office Unit 4 District Collector Office First Floor, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611 003.
7. Special Tahsildar (CPCL Land Acquisition) Special Tahsildar Office Unit-1, Revenue Divisional Office, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611 001.
8. Special Tahsildar (CPCL Land Acquisition) Special Tahsildar Office Unit-2, Revenue Divisional Office, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611 001.
9. Special Tahsildar (CPCL Land Acquisition) Special Tahsildar Office Unit-3, Revenue Divisional Office, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611 001.
10.The Sub Registrar Nagoor Sub Registrar Office, Nagoor, Nagapattinam District __________ Page15 of 16 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 17/03/2026 12:01:49 pm ) WP No. 21658 of 2022 DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN J.
and SHAMIM AHMED J.
rpl WP Nos. 27986 of 2021, 21658, 6740 & 21995 of 2022 and 18708 of 2024, and WMP Nos.29552 & 29553 of 2021, 20670, 6822, 21021 & 21022 of 2022, and 20523, 20520 & 20519 of 2024 11-03-2026 __________ Page16 of 16 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 17/03/2026 12:01:49 pm )