Thangarasu v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Thangarasu S/o. Vadiveludaiyar, No.1/71, Murugan Kovil Street, T.Pudhupalayam Post, Vikkiravaandi Taluk, Villupuram District.
...Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The District Collector District Collector Office, Villupuram.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer District Revenue Office, Vikkiravandi, Villupuram.
3. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Vikkiravandi.
4. The Assistant Director Department of Survey & Land Records, Villupuram.
5. Sekar, S/o. Jayaraman, Main Road Street,
T. Pudupalayam, Vikkiravandi, Villupuram.
...Respondent(s)
PETITION under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 4 to forthwith remove the debris made by the 5th respondent in the cart track situated in Survey Nos.253/3A, 253/3B, 253/7 & 251/4A, 4B1, 4B2, 4C, 251/4A & 254/4, 251/1, 254/3, 254/3 and 254/4 and update the measurements and pathway in the UDR Sub Division Update and ARegister and consequently restore the pathway for free ingress and egress to the petitioner's agricultural lands in survey Nos.251/6, 252/3, 252/4 and 252/5.
For Petitioner:
Mr.E.Tharun Roshan For Respondents 1 to 4:
Mr.M.Rajendiran, AGP
ORDER
This is a petition filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 4 to remove the debris made by the fifth respondent in
the cart track situated at Survey Nos.253/3A, 253/3B, 253/7 & 251/4A, 4B1, 4B2, 4C, 251/4A & 254/4, 251/1, 254/3, 254/3 and 254/4 and update the measurements and pathway in the UDR Sub Division Update and A-Register and consequently restore the pathway for free ingress and egress to the petitioner's agricultural lands in survey Nos.251/6, 252/3, 252/4 and 252/5.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader accepting notice for respondents 1 to 4. In view of the limited nature of relief this Court proposes to grant, notice to the fifth respondent is dispensed with and the writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal.
3. The case of the petitioner is as follows:
(i) The petitioner is the absolute owner of agricultural lands in S.Nos.251/6, 252/3, 252/4 and 252/5 measuring about 8 acres situated at Thenper Madura Pudhupalayam Village, Vikkiravandi Taluk, Thenper Village, Villupuram District. He is cultivating the said lands. For the past
more than 150 years, a cart track is running through S.Nos.253/3A, 253/3B, 253/7 & 251/4A, 4B1, 4B2, 4C, 251/4A & 254/4, 251/1, 254/3, 254/3 and 254/4 and this is clearly reflected as a cart track in the Government Field Measurement Book prior to the UDR. (ii) Further, the pathway also runs through various patta lands belonging to private individuals including the petitioner. Prior to updating the registry in the Tamil Nadu land records, the pathway in S.No.251/4C was reflected in the village map. But, after that, though the pathway is in existence, it was omitted to be included in the field map/village register. The cart track is the only access available for tractors, harvest vehicles and sugarcane lorries to reach the agricultural lands of the petitioner.
(iii) The fifth respondent, with an ulterior motive, dumped the debris and stones in the cart track blocking the pathway. Without the pathway, cultivation and transportation of the agricultural produce are practically impossible. Expressing his grievance, the petitioner sent a representation dated 13.11.2025 to the Block Development Officer, Vikkiravandi seeking to widen the pathway. Pursuant to that, the Taluk Surveyor, Kanjanur sent a report dated 17.12.2025 to the third respondent.
In turn, after conducting an enquiry, the third respondent sent a report dated 18.12.2025 to the fourth respondent to initiate action to show the cart track in S.Nos.253/3A, 3B and 7 in the UDR. Thereafter, the fourth respondent sent a communication dated 24.12.2025 to the third respondent recommending to show the pathway in S.Nos.251/3, 4A, 4B1, 4C, 252/1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 253/3A, 3B, 6 and 7 in the UDR and Village Accounts. A copy of the communication dated 24.12.2025 was also marked to the petitioner.
(iv) The petitioner again sent a representation dated 14.1.2026 to the Director of Survey & Land Records, Chennai-5 seeking to carry out a sub-division in respect of S.Nos.254/3, 4, 235/1, 251/4A, 254/4, 253/3A, 3B, 7, 251/4A, 4B1, 4B2 and 4C and show them in the UDR and Village Accounts. Thereafter, based on the report of the Taluk Sub-Inspector, Vikkiravandi, the third respondent sent a communication dated 12.2.2026 to the fourth respondent to issue suitable orders to show the cart track in S.Nos.253/3A, 3B and 7 in the field map/village register. A copy of the communication dated 12.2.2026 was also marked to the petitioner. Contending that no action has been taken, the petitioner is before this
Court.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this Court may direct the respondents to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representation within the stipulated time as fixed by this Court.
5. When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 4 has produced a copy of the communication dated 06.4.2026 issued by the third respondent to the Government Pleader of this Court stating that steps were already taken and a communication has been sent to the fourth respondent to issue suitable orders in order to show the cart track in S.Nos.253/3A, 3B and 7 in the field map/village register. This is recorded.
6. In the light of the above proceedings dated 06.4.2026 issued by the third respondent, there is nothing more to be adjudicated in this writ petition.
7. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 07-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To
1. The District Collector District Collector Office, Villupuram.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer District Revenue Office, Vikkiravandi, Villupuram.
3. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Vikkiravandi,
4. The Assistant Director Department of Survey & Land Records, Villupuram.
RLI
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
RLI 07-04-2026