Elangovan v. The Director Of Town Panchayat
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 12.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA Elangovan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Director of Town Panchayat Kuralagam Building Chennai - 600 108 2.The Assisitant Director of Town Panchayat Cudddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District 3.The District Collector Cuddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District
4. The District Revenue Officer Office of the District Revenue Officer Cuddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District
5. The Revenue Divisional Officer Cuddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District 1/7
6. The Executive Officer Sethiyathoppu Town Panchayat - 608 702 Cuddalore District
7. T.Jayakumar Civil Contractor Global Infotech No.46, Second Floor Eswaran Koil Street Sathuvachery Vellore - 632 009
...Respondents
Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd to 5th respondents to consider the representation dated 14.02.2025 submitted by the petitioner along with other residents in the locality and to pass orders thereof on merits, within a time limit to be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.Elumalai For Respondents 1 to 6 : Mr.S.Rajesh, Government Advocate For Respondent-6 : Mr.S.Ravichandran 2/7
O R D E R
The above writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 3 to 5 to consider the representation dated 14.02.2025 submitted by the petitioner along with other residents in the locality and to pass orders thereon on merits, within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that he is the owner of the land comprised in Survey No.225/2, measuring 2 cents situated at Sethiyathoppu, Chidambaram Taluk, Cuddalore District which was assigned to his father under the Landless Poor Rehabilitation Scheme during the year 2000. Similarly, the other residents of the locality were also granted free house-site pattas, pursuant to which they constructed thatched huts or tiled-roof buildings and have been residing therein along with their respective families. A community hall which existed in the midst of the residential locality was found to be in a dilapidated condition and was demolished in the year 2024. The residents were under the impression that no further construction 3/7
would be undertaken on the said vacant land. However, to their shock and surprise, the respondents have floated a tender for the construction of a new community hall and the tender was awarded in favour of the 7th respondent as the successful bidder. This has caused serious apprehension among the residents, as the proposed construction would disturb and interfere with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the residential houses of the petitioner and others in the locality. The residents were neither informed nor afforded any opportunity of personal hearing before initiating the proposed construction.
3. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner along with 41 other residents submitted a joint representation dated 14.02.2025 requesting the respondents to afford them an opportunity of personal hearing before proceeding with any construction, as the same would directly impact their peaceful residence. However, the said representation has not been considered to date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court. 4/7
4. Heard the learned counsels on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, a mandamus is issued to the respondents 3 to 5 to consider the representation dated 14.02.2025 submitted by the petitioner along with other residents in the locality, after issuing notice to the petitioner as well as the interested parties, affording them an opportunity of personal hearing and to pass orders thereon on merits and in accordance with law within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. No costs. 12.01.2026 (srn) Index: Yes/No Speaking Order: Yes/No 5/7
To 1.The Director of Town Panchayat Kuralagam Building Chennai - 600 108 2.The Assisitant Director of Town Panchayat Cudddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District 3.The District Collector Cuddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District
4. The District Revenue Officer Office of the District Revenue Officer Cuddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District
5. The Revenue Divisional Officer Cuddalore - 607 001 Cuddalore District.
6. The Executive Officer Sethiyathoppu Town Panchayat - 608 702 Cuddalore District 6/7
P.T. ASHA . J., (srn) 12.01.2026 7/7