Thavaseelan S v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER S.Thavaseelan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kadayanallur Taluk, Tenkasi.

2.The Tahsildar, Kadayanallur Taluk, Tenkasi.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to complete the enquiry proceedings vide Na.Ka.A3/5240/2020 dated 17.05.2021 and issue the Natham patta in favour of the petitioner in accordance with law within the time fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.H.Arumugam For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader ***** Page No. 1 of 5

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to complete the enquiry proceedings vide Na.Ka.A3/5240/2020 dated 17.05.2021 and issue Natham Patta in the name of the petitioner in accordance with law, within the time fixed by this Court.

2. With the consent of the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. The case of the petitioner is that the land in Natham Old S.No. 319/10, measuring an extent of 60 cents, belongs to the petitioner's family. In a partition, an extent of 31⁄2 cents was allotted to the petitioner's father. Now, the petitioner is in possession and enjoyment of the same. The said land, which was originally used as a cattle shed and for cart parking, was fenced with a stone-built compound wall on all four sides, with a door. The said property was assessed to property tax and assigned Door No.4/91A. It is an occupied natham and the petitioner has title to the same.

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4. However, Natham Patta was not issued at the time of natham settlement and the property was shown only as a "vacant site", without mentioning the petitioner's name. Therefore, the petitioner submitted an application before the first respondent seeking issuance of Natham Patta. The first respondent forwarded the same to the second respondent vide Na.Ka.A3/5240/2020 dated 17.05.2021. The second respondent conducted an enquiry and found that the property is the family property of the petitioner and that the petitioner has been in possession and enjoyment of the same for the past 40 years.

5. However, the second respondent has not forwarded any report to the first respondent and consequently, the first respondent has not passed any orders. Therefore, the petitioner was constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

6. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the enquiry would be completed and appropriate orders would be passed by the first respondent within a period of twelve weeks.

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7. Recording the above submission and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to conclude the enquiry initiated vide Na.Ka.A3/5240/2020 dated 17.05.2021 and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is needless to state that before passing any order, the first respondent shall provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties who may be affected by the decision. There shall be no order as to costs. [K.SURENDER, J.] 09.01.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No To 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kadayanallur Taluk, Tenkasi.

2.The Tahsildar, Kadayanallur Taluk, Tenkasi.

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K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 09.01.2026 Page No. 5 of 5