The Supreme Court has come down heavily on the Government of Tamil Nadu for prolonged inaction in a long-pending land dispute concerning Thazhambur Village in Kancheepuram District.
The bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K. Vinod Chandran vacated the status quo order that had been continuing since 2019 and emphasized that the State cannot attempt to undo decades-old transactions affecting innocent third-party buyers.
The case arose from multiple Special Leave Petitions filed by the State authorities challenging a 2019 common order of the Madras High Court. The dispute originated from a public interest litigation filed by S. Raja alleging illegal land allotments and transactions in Thazhambur Village, particularly involving lands originally assigned to freedom fighters and later transferred to private parties.
Parallelly, real estate developer Casagrand Builder Private Limited had challenged a government order initiating an inquiry into these transactions. The High Court had refused to interfere with the inquiry and disposed of the petitions, leading to appeals before the Supreme Court.
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The Supreme Court noted that although the State had initiated an inquiry as early as 2019, it failed to conclude the process even after more than six years. The Court observed that the State failed to adhere to its own timelines for completing the inquiry. Multiple inquiry reports were prepared, yet no final decision was taken. The litigation was effectively used to prolong the status quo order.
The Court held that the State cannot “turn back the clock” to undo transactions that took place decades ago, especially when third-party rights have been created in favour of innocent purchasers.
A major highlight of the judgment is the Court’s strong stance on protecting homebuyers and other third parties who had acquired property over the years. The Court recorded that hundreds of villas and flats had already been constructed and sold. Many buyers had taken possession, some through registered deeds. Third-party rights had multiplied over time due to government inaction.
The Court emphasized that the State cannot ignore the plight of such citizens who invested their life savings in good faith.
The Court also took serious note of the failure of authorities to provide essential services like water and sewerage to residents. It held that occupants of flats cannot be denied basic amenities and authorities must not use pending litigation as a ground to delay such services.
The Supreme Court has vacated the status quo order dated 21.10.2019. Granted limited additional time for the committee headed by a retired High Court judge to complete its exercise.
The court directed the State to take a final decision within a defined timeframe thereafter. Allowed aggrieved parties to pursue remedies as per law.
The Court also dismissed the developer’s challenge to the inquiry proceedings. A delayed SLP filed after 403 days. A contempt petition on grounds of limitation, reiterating that such actions must be initiated within one year.
Case Details
Case Title: The Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, and others Etc. Versus S. Raja and others Etc.
Citation: JURISHOUR-894-SC-2026
Case No.: Special Leave Petition (C) Nos. 24430-24431 Of 2019
Date: 22/04/2026
