Race club senior advt Aravind pandian for gov senior advt wilson division bench of Madras High Court, comprising Honourable Mr Justice SM Subramaniam and Honourable Mr Justice Mohammed Shafiq, in the appeal filed by the State Government against the Madras Race Club, has permitted the State Government to proceed with the strengthening and improvement of

The division bench of Madras High Court, comprising Honourable Mr Justice SM Subramaniam and Honourable Mr Justice Mohammed Shafiq, in the appeal filed by the State Government against the Madras Race Club, has permitted the State Government to proceed with the strengthening and improvement of ponds, and any other public-related projects on the 160.86 acres recovered from the Madras Race Club after hearing the arguments of Mr P Wilson, Senior Counsel assisted by D Ravichandran SGP representing the State Government.

Mr Wilson submitted that land worth 6500 crores had been recovered from the Madras Race Club on 9th September 2024, following the termination of a lease deed given pre-independence for 99 years + 99 years, totalling 180 years. He further mentioned that the Madras Race Club had filed a suit challenging the termination and resumption of possession which is pending before single Judge . The single judge in the application filed by MRC for injunction had directed the parties to maintain the status quo. Mr Wilson added that after resuming possession of 160.86 acres, about 118 acres of land had been handed over to the Horticulture Department, which has floated a tender for the Eco Park project. He explained that while the learned single judge, in its interim order dated 4th July 2025, permitted the calling of tenders, it had not allowed the government to proceed further due to the order of status quo.

Mr Wilson also described the Eco Park project as an integrated flood mitigation approach, involving the creation of a scientifically designed Blue-Green Park capable of accommodating, storing, and recharging substantial quantities of floodwater—an essential measure to safeguard the city from future monsoon disasters, especially floods and related fatalities. He pointed out that Chennai has been experiencing rising ambient temperatures and urban heat stress, directly impacting its citizens’ health and well-being. This land complies with the green coverage percentage requirement; hence, the Eco park project is meant for the same. Mr Wilson highlighted that Chennai remains highly vulnerable to recurring monsoon-related disasters. The order passed by the single judge, he argued, could hinder the implementation of the city’s large-scale infrastructure projects, compromising urban safety that too during monsoon period. Given the onset of the north-east monsoon and the imminent danger of floods that could cause grave hardships and irreparable damage to areas such as Velachery, Adambakkam, Guindy, Madipakkam, and Pallikaranai, he contended that the interim order should be suspended.

Mr PH Arvind Pandian, representing the Race Club, asserted that since Justice SM Subramaniam had previously heard the matter singly when the order of the Thasildar concerning the implementation of lease rents was challenged, the court should not hear the current matter with Justice SM Subramaniam on the bench, as there could be a perceived bias against the Madras Race Club. Accordingly, Mr Pandian requested the judge’s recusal from hearing the case. He also argued that the government should not deal with the property until the suit is disposed of.

After hearing both sides, the division bench rejected Justice SM Subramaniam’s recusal. It permitted the government to use the 160.86 acres of resumed lands not only for strengthening and developing the ponds but also for water storage and for any public-related projects.
Thus, in a significant legal battle with the Madras Race Club, the Government has emerged victorious and secured its complete control over 160.86 acres of land through a division bench order that permits its use for public-related projects.