St.Thomas Church v. The Secretary To Government

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 05.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY St.Thomas Church, Represented by its Parish Priest, Batlagundu, ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Secretary to Government, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

2. The Commissioner of Land Administration, Land Administration Department, 2nd Floor Elizham, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

3. The Chairman, State Minority Commission, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

4. The District Collector, Chettinaickenpatti, Dindigul - 624 004.

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5. The District Revenue Officer, Chettinaickenpatti, Dindigul - 624 004.

6. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul - 624 001.

7. The District Officer,

8. The Tahsildar, Nilakkottai, Dindigul 624 208.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to act upon the representation, dated 25.08.2025, directing the respondents to allot land for cemetery, as per the request of the petitioner. For Petitioner : M.Savarimuthu.FR.S For M/S. Father Xavier Associates For Respondents : Mr.SRA.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to act upon the representation, dated 25.08.2025, directing the respondents to allot land for cemetery, as per the request of the petitioner.

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2. The petitioner is seeking to allot Government poromboke land for a Christian burial ground for which the petitioner is also relying on the classification of three lands, which are shown as "Tharisu". In the event that no suitable land is available, the petitioner has further requested acquisition of land and allotment of the same for a Christian burial ground. Such representation was submitted as early as 25.08.2025

3. The petitioner submitted a representation to the District Revenue Officer, with a copy marked to the District Collector. Therefore, the fourth respondent / District Collector is directed to consider the petitioner's representation and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

05.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes jbr 3/5

To:

1. The Secretary to Government, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

2. The Commissioner of Land Administration, Land Administration Department, 2nd Floor Elizham, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

3. The Chairman, State Minority Commission, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

4. The District Collector, Chettinaickenpatti, Dindigul - 624 004.

5. The District Revenue Officer, Chettinaickenpatti, Dindigul 624 004.

6. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul 624 001.

7. The District Officer,

8. The Tahsildar, Nilakkottai, Dindigul 624 208.

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S.SRIMATHY , J.

jbr ORDER MADE IN DATED : 05.03.2026 5/5