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Madras High CourtWP/11396/2026disposed of

M.Ezhilan v. The District Collector

2026-04-02Honourable Mr Justice Abdul Quddhose6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE and WMP Nos. 12399 & 12400 of 2026 M.Ezhilan, S/o. K.Mani Pillai, Mynandal village, Irimbedu post, Arani Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector, Tiruvannamalai District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Arani Division, Tiruvannamalai District.

3. The Tahsildar, Arani Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

4. The District Revenue Officer Tiruvannamalai.

(R4 impleaded as per the order of this Court dated 02.04.2026) ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in Mu.Mu.A6-709-2022 dated 11.07.2022, quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 3 to issue patta in the name

of the petitioner for the lands in Survey No.406/21, situated at S.V.Nagaram village, Arani Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District and pass such further or other orders.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.H.S.Mohamed Rafi For Respondent(s):

Mr.C.Jayaprakash Government Advocate

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed, challenging the impugned order dated 11.07.2022 passed by the 2nd respondent under which Patta for the subject property has been transferred in the names of third parties. The petitioner is aggrieved by the same.

2. Admittedly, the petitioner had already filed an appeal as against the impugned order dated 11.07.2022 passed by the 2nd respondent, before the very same respondent who has passed the impugned order.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner on instructions would submit that it would suffice if a direction is issued to the competent authority to dispose of the petitioner's appeal, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

4. The competent appellate authority to adjudicate the petitioner's appeal is the District Revenue Officer, Tiruvannamalai District. However, as seen from

the documents filed along with the Writ Petition, the appeal has been erroneously preferred before the very same respondent, viz., the 2nd respondent, who has passed the impugned order. Since the District Revenue Officer, Tiruvannamalai District is not a party respondent in this Writ Petition, this Court suo-motu impleads 'the District Revenue Officer, Tiruvannamalai District' as party 4th respondent in this Writ Petition, by exercising its suo-motu powers. Registry is directed to carry out necessary amendment. No prejudice will be caused to any of the parties if a direction is issued to the newly impleaded 4th respondent.

5. Permission is granted to the petitioner to file a fresh appeal before the newly impleaded 4th respondent, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and a direction is also issued to the newly impleaded 4th respondent that on receipt of the said appeal, to dispose of the same on merits and in accordance with law, after hearing all the necessary parties and by adhering to the principles of natural justice, within a time frame fixed by this Court.

6. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's appeal.

7. For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the petitioner to file an appeal as against the impugned order dated 11.07.2022, passed by the 2nd

respondent, before the newly impleaded 4th respondent, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. On such receipt of the said appeal, the newly impleaded 4th respondent shall pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's appeal, after hearing all the necessary parties, which includes the parties in whose name Patta has been transferred and by adhering to the principles of natural justice, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

8. With the aforesaid direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 02-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Jer

To

1. The District Collector, Tiruvannamalai District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Arani Division, Tiruvannamalai District.

3. The Tahsildar, Arani Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

4. The District Revenue Officer Tiruvannamalai District.

ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.

Jer and WMP Nos. 12399 & 12400 of 2026 02-04-2026