D. Shanmugam v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY
1. D. Shanmugam S/o. Late Desingu Gounder, No.2/59, Othavadai Street, Paradharami Village,
2. D. Sivalingam, S/o. Late Desingu Gounder, No.2/59, Othavadai Street, Paradharami Village, ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The District Collector Ranipet Dstrict, Kellys Road, Ranipet.
2. The District Revenue Officer, Office of District Collector, Ranipet.
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, RDO Complex, Ranipet Division,
4. The Tahsildar, Arcot,
5. M. Pachiyappan, S/o Munusamy Palayam Road Access Paradharami Village,
6. Anbumani, S/o Natarajan, Nadu Street, Paradharami Village,
7. Sivashankaran, S/o Kanniyappan, Bramin Street, Paradharami Village, ..Respondent(s) Prayer:
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 4th respondent to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 25.09.2024 on merits and in accordance with law within a stipulated time For Petitioner(s):
Mr.T.P.Prabakaran For Respondent(s):
Mr.M.Guruprasad, Govt's Cl. for R1 to R4
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.09.2024.
2. Mr.M.Guruprasad, learned Government's counsel, takes notice on behalf of the respondents.
3. By consent of the parties, the main petition is taken up for disposal in the stage of admission itself.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that in this case, the petitioner had filed a representation dated 25.09.2024 to identify as to whether the subject property is public property or not. However, the said representation was not at all considered by the respondent till date.
5. Further, he would contend that according to the records available with the petitioner, the subject land falls under the category of patta land. In spite of the same, the respondents are making attempts to lay a public road at the subject land. Hence, this petition.
6. In reply, the learned Government's counsel appearing for the respondents would submit that though the petitioner claims the subject land as a patta land, the 4th respondent is claiming it as a "street". The said dispute cannot be adjudicated by the Revenue Authorities by merely measuring the subject property. Under these circumstances, now, the only right course available to the
petitioner is to approach an appropriate Civil Court to establish his case. Hence, he requests this Court to pass appropriate orders.
7. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the respondents and also perused the entire materials available on record.
8. In the case on hand, the petitioner is claiming that the subject land is a patta land. However, the respondents 5 to 7 are claiming that it is a public land, which is utilised as a street. In such case, it is clear that there is a title dispute over the subject property, for which, the petitioner can very well approach any appropriate Civil Court.
9. In view of the above, this Court is not inclined to entertain this present petition. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. No cost. However, the petitioner is granted liberty to approach the Civil Court within a period of 3 months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In the meantime, the parties are directed to maintain status quo.
10-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order nsa
To
1. The District Collector Ranipet Dstrict, Kellys Road, Ranipet.
2. The District Revenue Officer, Office of District Collector, Ranipet.
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, RDO Complex, Ranipet Division,
4. The Tahsildar, Arcot,
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.
nsa AND WMP NO. 22585 OF 2026 10-06-2026