Nallathambi v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY Nallathambi S/o Vinaiyathgounden D. No 5/83, M. Kattoor Virudasampatti Village and post, Mettur Taluk, Salem District ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector Salem Distrct, Salem 1

2. The Revenue Divisional officer Mettur Dam-1 Mettur Taluk, Salem District

3. The Tahsildar Mettur Dam-1 Mettur Taluk, Salem District ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd respondent

to change the name as Nallathambi instead of Thailappan in patta No. 706 in Survey No 247/ 3B5 measuring an extent of 0.72.00 Hector in Virudasampatti Village and Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 04.02.2026 appreciating the above stated facts. For Petitioner(s):

Mr. D. Lakshmipathy For Respondent(s):

Mrs.Inthu Karunakaran Government Counsel

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd respondent to change the name as Nallathambi instead of Thailappan in Patta No. 706 in Survey No 247/ 3B5 measuring an extent of 0.72.00 Hector in Virudasampatti Village and Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 04.02.2026.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the absolute owner of the land measuring 0.72.00 hectares in Survey No. 247/3B5, situated at Virudasampatti Village, Mettur Taluk, Salem District. Though his registered name is Nallathambi, S/o Vinaiyathagounden, the Revenue Department erroneously issued Patta No. 706 in the name of Thailappan, which is merely his commonly used alias or religious name. The

petitioner submitted a representation dated 04.02.2026 seeking rectification of his name in the said patta. Although the representation was duly forwarded by the District Collector to the competent authority on 16.02.2026 for appropriate action, no order has been passed till date, and the error remains uncorrected despite the lapse of several months. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking a mandamus directing the respondents to rectify his name in Patta No. 706.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner further contended that the Village Administrative Officer, Virudasampatti Village, has already issued a Certificate dated 14.11.2025, wherein the name of the petitioner has been officially certified as Thailappan @ Nallathambi. He further contended that in all public and statutory records, namely the Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, and Ration Card, the petitioner's name is consistently recorded as Nallathambi.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs. Inthu Karunakaran, learned Government Counsel accepting notice for the respondents.

5. On a perusal of the records, it is manifest that the petitioner's name has been consistently recorded as Nallathambi across all statutory identification documents, namely the Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, and Ration Card. Hence, there is no legal impediment for the respondents to rectify the name of the petitioner as Nallathambi and issue a corrected patta in his name, if it is otherwise in order.

6. In view of the above, this Court directs the third respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 04.02.2026 seeking rectification of his name as Nallathambi instead of Thailappan, and consequently issue a corrected patta in his name, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

30-06-2026 Asi

To

1. The District Collector Salem Distrct, Salem 1.

2. The Revenue Divisional officer Mettur Dam-1, Mettur Taluk, Salem District.

3. The Tahsildar Mettur Dam-1, Mettur Taluk, Salem District

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

Asi 30-06-2026