Revenue department takes over land in possession of SASTRA in Thanjavur

The Revenue Department on Saturday took possession of 31.37 acres of government poramboke land in Thirumalaisamudram village of Thanjavur taluk, following orders of the Madras High Court.

The land, spread across multiple survey numbers, had been classified in village records as uncultivable wasteland under government ownership. It was found to have been under the occupation of SASTRA University.

The High Court, while disposing of relevant writ petitions and connected miscellaneous petitions, passed orders on January 9, directing the authorities to retrieve the land from unauthorised occupation.

Acting on the court’s direction, the Revenue Department brought the land under government control on Saturday. As the land had been earmarked for the Prisons and Correctional Services Department, the Thanjavur Tahsildar formally handed over possession to the department’s Superintendent.

Officials said action had been taken in compliance with the High Court order and in accordance with revenue records. Further administrative steps would follow as per government procedure.