Madras High Court Denies Interim Relief to State Government in Police Building Eviction Case
The Madras High Court has delivered a significant ruling in a contentious property dispute involving the Tamil Nadu government. On Friday, the court's first bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, refused to grant any interim relief to the state government. This decision effectively upholds an earlier order by a single judge that directs the Tambaram Police Commissionerate to vacate a private building it occupies at Sholinganallur within a strict two-year timeframe.
Background of the Legal Battle
The case originated from an order passed by a single judge of the Madras High Court on August 11, 2025. The judge ruled against the state government after it failed to honor its commitment to pay the agreed monthly rent for the building. According to court documents, the government had occupied the premises in December 2021 with an initial agreement to pay ₹10.14 lakh plus GST per month.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the state government unilaterally reduced the rent to ₹6.33 lakh per month. This reduction was allegedly based on Public Works Department (PWD) guidelines, which the building owners contested as a breach of the original agreement.
Owners' Legal Pursuit and State's Defense
Frustrated by the government's actions, the building owners—D H Sarath K Kumar, D Venkaatesh, and D N Choudery—made repeated representations to the authorities, requesting them to vacate the premises. When these appeals went unanswered, they approached the Madras High Court seeking legal recourse.
The state government, in its defense, argued that the matter was purely a civil dispute and therefore, a writ petition was not maintainable in the High Court. This contention, however, was rejected by the single judge, who found merit in the owners' plea.
Key Directives from the Single Judge's Order
The August 11, 2025 order included several critical directives that the state government must comply with:
- The state is required to settle all arrears of monthly rent up to June 2025, amounting to ₹2.18 crore plus 18% GST, on or before December 31, 2025.
- From July 2025 to December 2025, the government must pay a monthly rent of ₹13.50 lakh.
- For the years 2026 and 2027, the rent will see a 10% increase annually, and these payments must be made every month without fail.
- Ultimately, the Tambaram Police Commissionerate must vacate the building within two years from the date of the order.
Current Status and Future Proceedings
In the latest development, the first bench of the Madras High Court has admitted the state government's appeal against the single judge's order. However, by refusing to grant interim relief, the court has allowed the original directives to remain in effect for now.
The court has also directed the building owners to file their response to the state's appeal. The hearing has been adjourned for two months, during which both parties will prepare their arguments. This decision underscores the judiciary's stance on upholding contractual obligations, even when one party is the government.
This case highlights the complexities of property disputes involving government entities and sets a precedent for similar conflicts in Tamil Nadu. The outcome of the appeal, scheduled for hearing in two months, will be closely watched by legal experts and property owners across the state.
