K.Lalitha v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 08.09.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI K.Lalitha ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Office of Collectorate, Singaravelar Maligai, Chennai - 600 001.
2.The Tahsildhar, Purasawalkam Taluk, Raja Muthiah Salai, Chennai - 600 003.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025 and issue a legal heriship certificate mentioning the petitioner and her children (i.e.) Tmt.Lalitha, W/o.S.Karunakaran - Widow, K.Hemamalini, D/o.S.Karunakaran - Married and S.Dhanamaruthi, S/o.Karunakaran - Married as surviving legal heirs of S.Karunakaran, seems to be died on 04.05.2007 at Chennai.
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For Petitioner : Mr.T.S.N.Prabhakaran For Respondents : Mr.R.Neelakandan Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr.T.M.Rajangam Government Advocate *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025 and issue a legal heriship certificate mentioning the petitioner and her children (i.e.) Tmt.Lalitha, W/o.S.Karunakaran - Widow, K.Hemamalini, D/o.S.Karunakaran - Married and S.Dhanamaruthi, S/o.Karunakaran - Married as surviving legal heirs of S.Karunakaran, seems to be died on 04.05.2007 at Chennai.
2. Mr.R.Neelakandan, learned Additional Advocate General for Mr.T.M.Rajangam, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of the consent expressed by the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
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3. The case of the petitioner is that she married one S.Karunakaran on 18.05.1987. Out of their wedlock, they were blessed with K.Hemamalini and K.Dhanamaruthi. Whileso, on 04.05.2007, the petitioner's husband was missing since he was suffering from the disease called Alzheimer. For the past 18 years, the whereabouts of the petitioner's husband is not known, now, it seems to be the petitioner's husband must have died on 04.05.2007. Therefore, the petitioner has made a representation dated 18.07.2025 before the respondents seeking legal heir certificate. Since the same was not considered by the respondents, the petitioner has filed this writ petition before this Court for appropriate orders.
4. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that it would suffice, if this Court, issues a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.
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5. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.07.2025 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.
6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
08.09.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6
To 1.The District Collector, Office of Collectorate, Singaravelar Maligai, Chennai - 600 001.
2.The Tahsildhar, Purasawalkam Taluk, Raja Muthiah Salai, Chennai - 600 003.
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M.DHANDAPANI, J.
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