A.Sangeetha v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SURESH KUMAR A.Sangeetha D/o.G.Ayyanar Kommananthal Village Pulivananthal Post, Polur Taluk Thiruvannamalai District Petitioner Vs 1.The District collector Thiruvannamalai District Thiruvannamalai 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer Arni, Thiruvannamalai District.

Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the entire records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Arni, Tiruvannamalai Distric, the 2nd respondent herein vide his proceedings No.Pa.Mu.A5/2069/2025 dated

16.12.2025 and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary, unreasonable being violative of rules and principles of natural justice and thereby directing the respondents to grant Hindu - Kattunayakan Community Certificate under Schedule Tribe (ST) Community to the petitioner pursuant to her Father's Community Certificate dated 6.5.1989 which is held to be valid and genuine with the time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

For Petitioner:

Mr.A.R.Suresh for Mr.A.Rajendiran For Respondent:

Mr.K.Karthik Jagannath Government Advocate

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard.

2. Though the petitioner seeks to challenge the legality and validity of the order dated 16.12.2025 passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer rejecting the petitioner's application for issuance of community certificate, it is not in dispute that there exists an efficacious alternative remedy of appeal under G.O.(Ms) No.147, Revenue [RA-3(2)] Department, dated 17.3.2016.

3. We do not find any extraordinary circumstances warranting this Court to entertain the writ petition without insisting on exhaustion of alternative remedy. Therefore, without commenting upon the merits of the petitioner's case, the writ petition is dismissed with liberty to file an appeal. In case the petitioner prefers an appeal within a period of 30 days from today, the appellate authority shall examine the merits of the case and take a decision one way or the other in accordance with law.

There shall be no order as to costs.

(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (R.SURESH KUMAR,J) 02.03.2026 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No bbr To:

1.The District collector Thiruvannamalai District Thiruvannamalai 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer Arni, Thiruvannamalai District.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND R.SURESH KUMAR, J.

bbr 02.03.2026