G.Ravi v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 13.4.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S. RAMESH G.Ravi

...Petitioner

Vs 1.The District Collector, Thiruvallur District, Master Plan Complex, NH-205, Tiruvallur, 602001.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur.

602001.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruttani.

4.K.Ramachandra Naidu

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to dispose the petitioner's appeal dated 16.07.2019 pending in Appeal Petition No.14283/19/B 3 on the file of the second respondent within a time frame.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jaikumar 1/4

For Respondents 1 to 3 : Mr.R.P.Murugan Raja, Government Advocate

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate accepting notice for the official respondents. Since this Court is directing the second respondent to consider the petitioner's appeal after giving notice to all the parties concerned, notice to the private respondent is dispensed with.

2. The limited prayer sought for in this Writ Petition is for a direction to the second respondent herein to dispose of the appeal preferred by the petitioner dated 16.07.2019 within a stipulated time.

3. It is needless to point out that whenever a statutory appeal is preferred before the Appellate Authority, there is a duty cast on him to dispose of the same expeditiously. Non-compliance of such a responsibility would amount to dereliction of duties and this Court would be justified in directing the Appellate Authority to dispose of the appeal 2/4

within a stipulated time, in exercise of its powers under Article 226 of Constitution of India.

4. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the second respondent herein to dispose of the petitioner's appeal dated 16.07.2019, if not already disposed of, after giving due opportunity to the petitioner and the private respondent, as well as all the other persons who may be interested in the subject property, on its own merits and in accordance with law, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands ordered. No costs.

13.4.2023 Index:Yes/No Speaking order/Non-speaking order To 1.The District Collector, Thiruvallur District, Master Plan Complex, NH-205, Tiruvallur, 602001.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur. 602001. 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruttani.

3/4

M.S.RAMESH,J.

RS/SNI 13.4.2023 4/4