Shanmugam v. The Tahsildar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA Shanmugam S/o.Rajarathinam No.279, Kamarajnagar Vakkanampatti (P/O) Yelagiri Village Tirupattur District 635851.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The Tahsildar Taluk Office Thirupattur Revenue Taluk Thirupattur District 635601.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of Mandamus directing the Tahsildar, Tirupattur Taluk, to conduct a proper enquiry and issue the marital status certificate of the petitioner and his wife Late Mrs.Rukmani.

For Petitioner(s):

M/s.K.N.Shanthi Mr.Pradeep A.

For Respondent(s):

M/s.P.Aishwarya, Government Advocate

ORDER

The petitioner herein seeks a mandamus to the respondent to consider the representation dated 08.09.2025 and issue him with a marital status certificate in respect of his late wife Rukmani.

2.

It is the case of the petitioner that he had married Rukmani on 06.03.1994. The said marriage subsisted till the death of Rukmani on 28.06.2022. It is the contention of the petitioner that he is unemployed and entirely dependent on the income earned by his deceased wife who was permanently employed as a Watch Maid in a Residential School for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Communities. She had died of snake bite, despite being rushed to the Government Hospital, Tirupattur, where she was declared dead. The petitioner thereafter, applied for issuance of a Legal Heir Certificate and the same was issued to him on 28.08.2022. The Legal Heir Certificate recognised him as sole legal heir. Since she had died in the course of her employment, her legal heir is entitled to the family pension benefits under the extant rules. The family pension order bearing PPO No.F1629660 was also sanctioned. 3.

The petitioner would submit that he had received the pension for three months and thereafter, it was abruptly stopped. He approached the Special Tahsildar Office (ADW), Tirupattur, requesting the reason for stoppage of the pension. However, the reason was not made known to him. Thereafter, when he had approached the District Treasury Office, Tirupattur, he was informed that they had received an information that it was the second marriage of the petitioner and they directed the petitioner to obtain the marital status certificate. However, the respondent has neither conducted an enquiry nor submitted the

required certificate till date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court. 4.

The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent would submit that the petitioner married the deaceased Rukmani while his first marriage was subsisting and through the first marriage, he also had three children. These facts came to their knowledge only after the enquiry was conducted. Through his first wife viz., Indiragandhi he has two sons viz., Palani, Rajini and one married daughter Menaka. The said Rukmani died issueless. The first wife is presently residing in a village ata Elakiri. This is the reason for stopping the payment of pension. She would, however, submit that the representation would be considered and orders will be passed in accordance with law.

5.

Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records. 6.

Considering the relief now sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 08.09.2025, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 16-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssa To The Tahsildar Taluk Office Thirupattur Revenue Taluk Thirupattur District 635601.

P.T.ASHA, J.

ssa 16-02-2026