R.Nagarajan v. The Specified Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 09.02.2026 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE R.Nagarajan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Specified Officer, Under the Puducherry Settlement Act, 1970, Office of the Deputy Collector [Revenue], Karaikal - 609 602.
2.G.Nithianandan 3.K.Sivakumar 4.V.Omalingam 5.Punithalakshmi 6.Sasikala 7.M.Rajagopal ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to hear and dispose of the petitioner's petition filed under Section 16 (1), (2) and (3) of the Puducherry Settlement Act 1970, dated 10.02.2025 after affording opportunity in accordance with law on merits within the period of duration as may be fixed by this Court.
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For Petitioner : Mr.R.Natarajan For Respondents : Mr.V.Vasanthakumar Additional Government Pleader [R1] Notice dispensed with [R2 to R7] *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the 1st respondent to dispose of the petitioner's petition filed u/s 16 (1), (2) and (3) of the Puducherry Settlement Act, 1970, dated 10.02.2025, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
2. The petitioner claims that the property morefully described in the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition is a temple property. However, according to him, patta has been erroneously and illegally issued in favour of the private respondents, namely respondents 2 to 7. The petitioner seeks for cancellation of those pattas. The petitioner had submitted a petition under section 16 (1), (2) and (3) of the Puducherry Settlement Act 1970, dated 10.02.2025 before the 1st respondent. Since no final order has been passed by the 1st respondent in the said petition, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.
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3. Mr.V.Vasanthakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and on instructions, he would submit that the 1st respondent can pass final orders only after getting a report from the District Collector. The said submission made by the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the 1st respondent is recorded.
4. Since no adverse orders are passed against the respondents 2 to 7 in this writ petition, notice to the respondents 2 to 7 is dispensed with by this Court.
5. No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if the petitioner's petition, dated 10.02.2025 filed u/s 16 (1), (2) and (3) of the Puducherry Settlement Act, 1970, is considered on merits and in accordance with law, after hearing the objections of the respondents 2 to 7 and any other third party, whom the 1st respondent deems it fit to enquire, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. Page No.3 of 6
6. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's petition, dated 10.02.2025.
7. For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the 1st respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's petition, dated 10.02.2025 filed u/s 16 (1), (2) and (3) of the Puducherry Settlement Act, 1970, after hearing the objections of the respondents 2 to 7 as well as any third party, whom the 1st respondent deems it fit to enquire, and by adhering to the principles of natural justice and after collecting appropriate report from the District Collector, if it is required, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
8. With the aforesaid directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
09.02.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6
To The Specified Officer, Under the Puducherry Settlement Act, 1970, Office of the Deputy Collector [Revenue], Karaikal - 609 602.
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ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.
sp W.P.No.
3490 o f 2026 09.02.2026 Page No.6 of 6