Woman left homeless in illegal demolition, to get Rs 3L relief

According to the petitioner, Amudha, her ancestors were in possession of the Natham land (Survey No.462) in Sirumathur for more than 100 years. In 1984, the government had issued patta for the land on the basis of the long enjoyment. In 1997, the government also issued house site patta for Survey No 462/5 in favour of Amudha. As the thatched house was in a bad condition, Amudha and her father demolished it and wanted to construct a new house in this land.

Meanwhile, the Keezhapuliyur revenue inspector issued notice stating that she had encroached a government poramboke land (Survey No 462/4). Despite the complainant responding to the notice and producing the house tax receipts, the revenue inspector demolished the construction with help of police in 2013.

Following this, she filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court challenging the demolition and sought Rs 6 lakh compensation. The High Court ordered the revenue inspector to decide the matter on merits within a period of eight weeks. But till this date, he has not passed any order on this aspect.

Even though the officials argued that there is a vari (ditch) poramboke near her house and that she encroached the 50 sqm land, the commission ruled in her favour based on the evidence and ordered Rs 3 lakh as compensation.