Fri Feb 28 17:52:29 UTC 2025: ## Madurai Court Reasserts Government Ownership of Vandiyur Tank Foreshore
**Madurai, Tamil Nadu, February 28, 2025** – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has reaffirmed the government’s ownership of the foreshore area of the Vandiyur tank, a major waterbody in the city. The court overturned a lower court ruling that had granted private ownership to individuals who had occupied a portion of the foreshore land since 1961.
The court ruled that the concept of a waterbody encompasses not only the area where water collects, but also the bund, foreshore, and water spread areas, all of which are considered government poramboke (public land). The judges cited the doctrine of public trust and intergenerational equity, stating that waterbodies cannot be alienated and must be preserved for future generations.
The plaintiffs had argued that they had acquired title through adverse possession, having occupied the land for over 34 years. However, the court rejected this argument, stating that the government’s inaction in removing the encroachers did not grant them ownership rights. The absence of official land assignment (patta) further supported the government’s claim. The court emphasized that even disuse does not relinquish government ownership, and waterbodies must be restored to their original condition. The ruling sets a significant precedent for protecting waterbodies in the region from encroachment.
First Piper 