Selvaraj v. The Sub Collector Cum Revenue Divisional Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.01.2026

CORAM

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

1.The Sub Collector-cum- Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatti, Kovilpatti Taluk, Tuticorin District.

2.The Thasildar, Kovilpatti, Kovilpatti Taluk, Tuticorin District.

3.Sham Ganesh 4.Dharmaraj ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to conclude the enquiry in the appeal dated 10.11.2025 pending his file against the order of the second respondent Thasildar, Kovilpatti dated 10.10.2024 granting joint patta for T.S.No.399/1A by including third and fourth respondents herein within a time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Srinivasan Page No. 1 of 5

For R1 & R2 : Mr.B.Ramanathan Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to conclude the enquiry in the appeal dated 10.11.2025, pending on his file, against the order of the second respondent/Tahsildar, Kovilpatti, dated 10.10.2024, whereby a joint patta was granted in respect of T.S.No.399/1A by including the third and fourth respondents herein, within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

2. With the consent of the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself, dispensing with the notice to the third and fourth respondents, as no adverse orders are proposed to be passed against them.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the property comprised in Survey Nos.656/4, 658/12 and 657/2 [now T.S.No.399/1A] belongs to the petitioner's family, the title of which has been confirmed by the Civil Court as well as by this Court in the Second Appeal and Writ Proceedings Page No. 2 of 5

and also recognized by the Revenue Authorities. However, the second respondent, without issuing any notice to the petitioner, granted a joint patta by including the names of the third and fourth respondents in the individual patta standing in the name of the petitioner. Therefore, the petitioner filed an appeal dated 10.11.2025 before the first respondent seeking cancellation of the said joint patta and restoration of the patta to its earlier position. However, no action has been taken on the petitioner's appeal till date. Taking advantage of the joint patta, the third and fourth respondents have attempted to grab the petitioner's property. Hence, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first and second respondents, on instructions, would submit that the petitioner's appeal dated 10.11.2025 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed by the first respondent within a period of sixteen weeks.

5. Recording the above submissions and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter and considering the fact that the petitioner is aged about 83 years and in view of his advanced age cannot Page No. 3 of 5

be compelled to repeatedly approach the office for redressal of his grievance, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's appeal dated 10.11.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The appeal shall be disposed of after conducting an enquiry. The first respondent is also directed to provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, the third and fourth respondents 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.] 27.01.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The Sub Collector-cum- Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatti, Kovilpatti Taluk, Tuticorin District.

2.The Thasildar, Kovilpatti, Kovilpatti Taluk, Tuticorin District.

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K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 27.01.2026 Page No. 5 of 5