Arunachala Goundar v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 28.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ Arunachala Goundar : Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Erode, Erode District 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Gobichettipalayam Revenue Divisional Office, Erode District 3.The Tahsildar, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District : Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd Respondent to cancel the condition patta and to grant computer patta (Ayanpatta) to the Survey Number 187/2A, 187/2B to an extent of 7.51 cent Doc. No.1032/1968 dated 10.04.1968 to the petitioner land situated at Malaiyadipudhur, Sathiyamangalam Taluk, Erode District.

For Petitioner :

Mr.V.Balamurugan For Respondents :

Mr.P.Sathish, Additional Government Pleader 1/5

ORDER

By consent of learned counsel on both sides, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2. The present writ petition is filed praying for a writ of mandamus to direct third Respondent to cancel the condition patta and to grant computer patta (Ayanpatta) with respect to property comprised in Survey Nos.187/2A and 187/2B measuring an extent of 7.51 cents situated at Malaiyadipudhur, Sathiyamangalam Taluk, Erode District in Doc. No.1032/1968 dated 10.04.1968 on the basis of a representation dated 25.06.2025.

3. At the outset, it is submitted by Mr.P.Sathish, learned Additional Government Pleader for respondents 1 to 3 that subject property are forest lands and therefore, the request for issuance of patta may not be sustainable. In any view, he would submit that petitioner's representation dated 25.06.2025 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed within a time frame to be fixed by this Court, which was agreed to by the learned counsel for petitioner. 2/5

4. In view of the limited relief that is prayed, this court is inclined to dispose of the writ petition with following directions: i) The third respondent shall consider representation dated 25.06.2025 after issuing notice, conducting enquiry and affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing to petitioner and all other interested parties including rival claimants, if any and pass orders.

ii) Though facts have been set out in affidavit, in view of the limited relief that is sought to be granted, I do not propose to examine the same, lest it may influence the authority. The authority shall independently consider the facts and law set out in the representation and pass appropriate order in accordance with law including but not limited to the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Act and Rules.

iii) The petitioners' representation dated 25.06.2025 shall be disposed of within a period of sixteen (16) weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of certified copy. iv) It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any views with regard to the merits of the case and it is open to the concerned respondent to consider the 3/5

matter on its own merits and in accordance with law. Rights and contentions of the petitioner and all other interested parties are left open.

5. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs.

28.08.2025 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order mrn To 1.The District Collector, Erode, Erode District 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Gobichettipalayam Revenue Divisional Office, Erode District 3.The Tahsildar, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District 4/5

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.

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