St. Josephs Matriculation Higher Secondary School Vs Additional Chief Secretary (Madras High Court)
Summary: The Madras High Court considered a writ petition seeking to quash Government Order (G.O.) Ms. No.414 dated 01.07.2025 issued by the Revenue & Disaster Management and Land Settlement Department. The petitioner, a matriculation higher secondary school, also sought directions for allotment of alternative land near Cuddalore Town with road access suitable for educational purposes, as earlier directed by the Court in W.P. No.27377 of 2009. Alternatively, the petitioner requested payment of the guideline value of the land situated in Survey No.32/2 of Koothapakkam Village, Cuddalore.
The petitioner school had been operating on lands measuring about 5.77 acres in Koothapakkam Village, Cuddalore District. The land had originally been purchased by the educational agency through G.O.Ms.No.404 dated 14.03.1979. Objections were later raised regarding a portion of the land measuring 3.40 acres, claiming that it had historically been used for the purposes of Arulmigu Devanatha Swamy Temple. The land had initially been under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, later taken over by the Government and auctioned. Subsequently, the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.322 dated 07.12.2009 to resume the land from the petitioner school. This action was challenged by the school in W.P.No.27377 of 2009.
