Court refuses to interfere with land acquisition for MRF project

The Madras High Court has refused to interfere with the decision of the State government to acquire 16.5 acres in Naranamangalam village of Perambalur district for an expansion project of Madras Rubber Factory (MRF).

Justice K. Venkataramanan, in his order, stated there was no need for him to interfere as the land owners (petitioners) had not made out any case.

The petitioners, K. Sabapathy and A. Simiyon Raja, wanted the court to quash the notice issued by the Industries Department under section 3 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act to acquire their land.

“If anytime in the opinion of the government, any land is required for any industrial purposes or any other purpose in the furtherance of the object of the Land Acquisition Act, they may acquire such land by publishing in the government gazette and cause a notice specifying particular purpose for which such a land is required,” the Judge said. “Once a notice under section 3 (1) of the Land Acquisition Act is published, the land vests with the government.”

Justice Venkataramanan said the State government, after careful consideration, had accepted the proposal of the Perambalur Collector and accorded administrative sanction for acquiring the land under the Act.

“Thus, the three authorities have considered the request of MRF and the conclusion arrived by them cannot be doubted.”