Dharani v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 22-10-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN Dharani Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector District Collector Office Villupuram.
2.The Director National Commission For Scheduled Castes 2nd Street, 5th Block, Sastri Bhawan, Chennai 600006.
3.District Revenue Officer, Office Of District Revenue Office, Villupuram.
4.Revenue Divisional Officer, Office Of Revenue Divisional Office Villupuram.
5.Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Vikkravandi, Villupuram.
6.Gopal Respondents
PRAYER : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of writ of mandamus, directing the Respondent 1- 5 to consider petitioners representation dated 12/06/2025. For Petitioner:
Mr. Ramachandran For Respondents:
Mr.R.Ramanlal, AAG Asst, by Mr.M.P. Murugan Raja, GA
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed seeking directions to respondents 1 to 5 to consider the representation dated 12.06.2025 submitted by the petitioner for restoration of the subject land from the 6th respondent.
2. Heard both sides. Perused the records available.
3. According to the petitioner, the petitioner's grandfather was allotted 10 acres of land comprised in Survey Nos. 550/2B, 550/2C, 550/3, and 551/1 situated in Athanur Village, Villupuram District during the British period in the year 1931. After a lapse of approximately 84 years, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 12.06.2025 seeking restoration of the subject land currently in possession of the 6th respondent.
4. Upon examination of the records, it is evident that the subject land was originally allotted to the petitioner's grandfather, Munusamy, during his lifetime. It is also clear from the documents submitted that the said land was sold to various persons and subdivided over the years. As a result, portions of the land have changed hands multiple times, and presently a part of the land is in possession of the 6 th respondent. It is further noted that, at no point neither during the lifetime of the petitioner's father nor his predecessors were taken steps to seek restoration of the land or contest subsequent transfers.
5. The extraordinary delay in approaching authorities regarding rights over property is fatal to the claim, especially when the property has repeatedly changed ownership and has been subdivided over several decades. The petitioner's claim is based entirely on ancestral allotment and is not supported by any continuous possession or uninterrupted ownership rights. Furthermore, there is no legal or equitable basis to disturb the current possession after such a protracted period, especially when third parties have come to hold the property through legitimate transactions.
6. Restoration of the subject land at this juncture, after more than eight decades, is neither practicable nor justified. The rights of subsequent purchasers and current occupants cannot be unsettled based on a representation raised after such an extensive lapse of time, when the petitioner and his predecessors-ininterest have failed to assert or protect their interests over the course of several generations.
7. In view of the above facts and circumstances, this court is of the considered opinion that the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted. The writ petition, being devoid of merits, stands dismissed. No costs. 22-10-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ak
To 1.The District Collector District Collector Office Villupuram.
2.The Director National Commission For Scheduled Castes 2nd Street, 5th Block, Sastri Bhawan, Chennai 600006.
3.District Revenue Officer, Office Of District Revenue Office, Villupuram.
4.Revenue Divisional Officer, Office Of Revenue Divisional Office Villupuram.
5.Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Vikkravandi, Villupuram.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
ak W.P. No. 33682 of 2025 22-10-2025