Perumal v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 24.04.2026 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE and W.M.P.No.17260 of 2026 Perumal ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Building, Thiruvallur District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional office, Thiruvallur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Avadi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

4.The Zonal Deputy Tahsildar Avadi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

5.The Village Administrative Officer, Ayappakkam Village, Avadi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the Page No.1 of 6

records in pursuant to impugned order in File No.2026/0103/01/008414 dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 4th respondent rejecting the patta application of the petitioner in No.2026/0105/01/001835 dated 11.01.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the 3rd respondent to issue patta in favour of the petitioner.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Vijayakannan For Respondents : Mr.C.Jayaprakash Government Advocate *****

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the impugned order dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 4th respondent, rejecting the petitioner's application seeking grant of patta in his name for the property morefully disclosed in the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition.

2. Mr.C.Jayaprakash, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents.

3. The petitioner has challenged the impugned order on the ground that it is a non-speaking order and it is an order passed in violation of the principles of natural justice. Page No.2 of 6

4. As seen from the impugned order passed by the 4th respondent, the 4th repsondent has rejected the petitioner application seeking grant of patta in his name only for the reason "no link document". Hence, it is clear that the impugned order is a non-speaking order with regard to the contentions of the petitioner as well as the supporting documents produced by him. The petitioner ws also not afforded any opportunity of hearing by the 4th respondent before passing the impugned order. Being a non-speaking order and an order passed in violation of the principles of natural justice, this Court is of the considered view that the impugned order passed by the 4th respondent has to be quashed by this Court and the matter has to be remanded back to the 4th respondent for fresh consideration on merits and in accordance with law.

5. The competent authority to decide the petitioner's application seeking grant of patta in his name is the 3rd respondent and not the 4th respondent. Therefore, the impugned order, dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 4th respondent is hereby quashed and the matter is remanded back to the 3rd respondent for fresh consideration on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. The petitioner is directed to submit a written explanation along with supporting documents Page No.3 of 6

to the 3rd respondent as to how the petitioner is entitled for grant of patta in his name for the property morefully disclosed in the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition, within a period of one (1) week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On receipt of the said explanation from the petitioner within the stipulated time, the 3rd respondent shall consider the same on merits and in accordance with law and also consider the supporting documents filed by the petitioner and after hearing the objections, if any, from all the necessary parties, whom the 3rd respondent deems it fit to enquire and thereafter, the 3rd respondent shall pass a speaking order in respect of the petitioner's application seeking grant of patta in his name for the subject property, within a period of twelve (12) weeks thereafter.

6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 24.04.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6

To 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Building, Thiruvallur District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional office, Thiruvallur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Avadi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

4.The Zonal Deputy Tahsildar Avadi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

5.The Village Administrative Officer, Ayappakkam Village, Avadi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

Page No.5 of 6

ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.

sp 24.04.2026 Page No.6 of 6