N.Jayalakshmi v. The Appellate Authority/Assistant Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 20.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE N. MALA N.Jayalakshmi Petitioner Vs 1.The Appellate Authority/Assistant Director, The Land Survey and Settlement Office, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur.
2.The Public Information Officer, The Special Tahsildar/Settlement, Avadi.
3.The Public Information Officer, Taluk Deputy Inspector, Avadi Taluk, Avadi.
Respondent PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a direction in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1 st respondent to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's appeal dated 23.08.2024 filed under Right to Information Act with adequate compensation to the petitioner in accordance with law. For Petitioner:
Mr.G.Jeremiah For Respondent:
Mr.N.Naveenkumar, Government Advocate 1/4
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1 st respondent to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's appeal dated 23.08.2024 filed under the Right to Information Act with adequate compensation to the petitioner.
2. The Petitioner is in long-standing possession of 28 cents of land in S.No.177/14, Sekkadu Village, Avadi, and has been residing with her family for over seven decades. An extract from the Town Survey Land Register issued in her favour, was confirmed by the second Respondent in the year 2021. However, another extract (RPT.No.2018/10/23/00587) has been issued in the names of Devaraj and Radhakrishnan for the same land, which the Petitioner alleges is a forged document. To verify its authenticity, the Petitioner filed an RTI application on 13.06.2024 and subsequently an appeal on 23.08.2024 due to non-response. It appears that the 1st Respondent directed the 3rd Respondent to furnish the documents. However, no action has been taken till date. 2/4
3. Learned Counsel for the Petitioner submits that despite multiple representations and statutory procedures followed under the RTI Act, the Respondents have failed to furnish the requested documents or dispose of the appeal, thereby violating their statutory duty. This inaction has caused the petitioner undue hardship and has hindered her ability to challenge the alleged forged patta. Hence, this Writ Petition.
4. Learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner's appeal dated 23.08.2024 would be considered on merits, in accordance with law within a time frame stipulated by this Court.
5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the first respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's appeal dated 23.08.2024 on merits, in accordance 3/4
N. MALA,J.
Vum/cda with law, and pass appropriate orders within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
In the result, the writ petition stands disposed of with the above observations and direction. No costs.
20.08.2025 Vum/cda Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To 1.The Appellate Authority/Assistant Director, The Land Survey and Settlement Office, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur.
2.The Public Information Officer, The Special Tahsildar/Settlement, Avadi.
3.The Public Information Officer, Taluk Deputy Inspector, Avadi Taluk, Avadi.
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