S.Abdul Nazeer v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER S.Abdul Nazeer, S/o.Shahul Hameed, Secretary, Masjithul Hutha Uravin Murai Sunnath Jamath, Visavanoor, Ilaiyangudi, Sivagangai District.
... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3.The Tahsildar, Ilaiyangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to dispose the petitioner's application dated 18.12.2025 for issuance of patta in respect of the land comprised in Survey No.635/2 situated at Visavanoor Village, Ilaiyangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District on the basis of Page No. 1 of 6
the circular issued by the Commissioner, Land Administration vide No. Ref R1/7699421/2024 dated 27.08.2024 within the time stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.J.Lawrance For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to dispose of the petitioner's application dated 18.12.2025 for issuance of patta in respect of the land comprised in Survey No.635/2, situated at Visavanoor Village, Ilaiyangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, on the basis of the circular issued by the Commissioner of Land Administration vide Ref.No.R1/7699421/2024 dated 27.08.2024, within the time 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.
3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner is the Secretary of Masjithul Hutha Uravin Murai Sunnath Jamath (hereinafter Page No. 2 of 6
referred to as the "Mosque"). The Mosque is situated on land in Survey No.635/2. The said Mosque is a 150-year-old Mosque, having more than 100 Muslim community families associated with it for several decades. The said land has been under the exclusive possession and enjoyment of the Mosque for over 150 years. The land originally belonged to the ancestors of the Muslim community.
4. During the land survey, a mistake crept in and the said land was wrongly classified as "Natham Poramboke" instead of being registered in the name of the Mosque. The patta ought to have been issued in the name of the Mosque.
5. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that during the process of reclassification or updation of revenue records, the Commissioner of Land Administration (CLA), Chennai, has issued a Circular in Ref.No.R1/7699421/2024 dated 27.08.2024, making certain provisions for the grant of patta to individuals or entities who are in continuous possession of such land and therefore, the respondents ought to have granted patta in favour of the Mosque, which has been in long and uninterrupted possession and enjoyment of the land; that the said Circular Page No. 3 of 6
further specifies that in respect of lands mistakenly classified as "Natham Poramboke", if sufficient documents dating back to the year 1966 are available to prove continuous possession and enjoyment, the authorities are bound to examine the same and issue patta; that a maximum extent of 33 cents of such Natham Poramboke land in the possession of an individual or entity can be registered in their name; and that however, though the petitioner submitted a detailed representation dated 18.12.2025, explaining all the above facts and seeking issuance of patta, no action has been taken till date towards reclassification of the land and issuance of patta.
6. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 18.12.2025 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed by the second respondent within a period of sixteen weeks.
7. Recording the above submissions and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's Page No. 4 of 6
representation dated 18.12.2025 and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law, within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. All relevant circulars and existing laws applicable to the present case shall also be taken into consideration while deciding the petitioner's representation. The second respondent is further 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 final order. The petitioner is at liberty to raise all the points urged in this Writ Petition before the second respondent. There shall be no order as to costs.
[K.SURENDER, J.] 28.01.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3.The Tahsildar, Ilaiyangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
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K.SURENDER , J.
JEN 28.01.2026 Page No. 6 of 6