Elango v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER Elango ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Theni Revenue Division, Theni.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam Revenue Division, Periyakulam, Theni District.

4.The Tahsildar, Aundipatti Taluk, Aundipatti, Theni District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to dispose of the petitioner's revision petition taken in 2756008/2024 as a file number dated 04.10.2024 on his file within the time frame by facilitating the fourth respondent to issue patta to the petitioner's land bearing S.No.778 to an extent of 11 Acres situated at Kadamalaigundu, Aundipatty Taluk, Theni District.

Page No. 1 of 5

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Kajamydeem For Respondents : Mr.D.S.Nedunchezhian Government Advocate

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to dispose of the petitioner's Revision Petition in File No.2756008/2024 dated 04.10.2024, within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court and consequently to direct the fourth respondent to issue patta in favour of the petitioner in respect of the land in Survey No.778, measuring an extent of 11 Acres, situated at Kadamalaigundu, Aundipatty Taluk, Theni District.

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

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner purchased the subject land in the year 1980, fully aware that the land was categorised as reserve forest. The Forest Settlement Officer, Usilampatti, allowed the claim petition in favour of the petitioner. After several rounds of litigation Page No. 2 of 5

by way of suit and appeal, the petitioner's rights were finally established in A.S.No.82 of 2008 on the file of the Sub Court, Theni. Thereafter, the petitioner submitted a representation to the fourth respondent seeking issuance of patta. After the petitioner filed a Writ Petition and a Contempt Petition before this Court, the fourth respondent, in a hurried manner and without conducting a proper enquiry, passed an order dated 20.04.2022 rejecting the petitioner's request for patta. Against the same, the petitioner filed an appeal before the third respondent, who dismissed the same. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner filed a revision before the second respondent. Though the petitioner's revision was taken on file, the second respondent has not taken any action to dispose of the same. Therefore, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the petitioner's revision petition would be disposed of by the second respondent within a period of twelve weeks.

5. Recording the above submission and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a Page No. 3 of 5

direction to the second respondent to dispose of the petitioner's Revision Petition in File No.2756008/2024 dated 04.10.2024 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. The second respondent is also directed to provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties who may be affected by such decision, before passing any order. There shall be no order as to costs. [K.SURENDER, J.] 22.01.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Theni Revenue Division, Theni.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam Revenue Division, Periyakulam, Theni District.

4.The Tahsildar, Aundipatti Taluk, Aundipatti, Theni District.

Page No. 4 of 5

K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 22.01.2026 Page No. 5 of 5