Muthukrishnan P v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER P.Muthukrishnan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.
3.The Tahsildar, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli.
... 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 rectify the error in the Natham Adangal and enter the petitioner's name as owner with respect to S.No.395/6, S.No.396/21, S.No.397, totally measuring to an extent of 2.61 Acres located in North Kallidakurichi Village, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli based upon the registered Sale Deed in Document No.827/2011, dated 26.04.2011 and registered Settlement Deed in Document No.298/2013, dated 25.02.2013 and Will dated 05.03.1981 by changing the classification as Natham on considering Page No. 1 of 7
the representation of the petitioner dated 26.06.2025 within the time frame to be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Packiya Muthu For Respondents : Mr.D.Sadiq Raja Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.06.2025 and to rectify the error in the Natham Adangal and to enter the petitioner's name as the owner in respect of the lands comprised in Survey Nos.395/6, 396/21 and 397, totally measuring an extent of 2.61 Acres, situated at North Kallidakurichi Village, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, based on the registered Sale Deed bearing Document No.827 of 2011 dated 26.04.2011, the registered Settlement Deed bearing Document No.298 of 2013 dated 25.02.2013, and the Will dated 05.03.1981, by changing the classification of the said lands as "Natham", within the time frame to be 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. Page No. 2 of 7
3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the Natham land comprised in Old Natham Survey No.395 and New Natham Survey No.395/6, measuring an extent of 1.50 acres, situated at North Kallidaikurichi Village, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, originally belonged to one late Ramachandran, who purchased the same vide registered Sale Deeds bearing Document Nos.131 of 1991, 148 of 1991, 723 of 1994 and 755 of 1995. The said late Ramachandran was in possession and enjoyment of the property during his lifetime.
4. After his demise, his wife, namely Chandra, being his legal heir, continued to be in possession and enjoyment of the said land. Thereafter, she executed a registered Sale Deed dated 26.04.2011 in favour of the petitioner and his brother, namely P.Murugan. Subsequently, the petitioner's brother executed a registered Settlement Deed dated 23.02.2013 in favour of the petitioner.
5. Thus, the petitioner has been in possession and enjoyment of the land in Survey No.395/6 to an extent of 1.50 acres. The adjacent lands comprised in Survey No.396/21 measuring 71 cents and Survey No.397 measuring 40 cents originally belonged to the petitioner's father Page No. 3 of 7
ancestrally. The petitioner's father executed a Will dated 05.03.1981 in favour of the petitioner.
6. Therefore, the petitioner has been in possession and enjoyment of the lands measuring a total extent of 2.61 acres. The petitioner is running a fish farm business under the name and style of "Surya Meen Pannai" in the aforesaid lands. After the demise of his father, the petitioner's name was entered in the Natham Adangal and he has been regularly paying the revenue tax for the said lands.
7. However, the above Survey Numbers have recently been classified as Government Poromboke, though the details have not been reflected in the online portal. Hence, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 26.06.2025 to the respondents seeking rectification of the revenue records. However, no action has been taken on the petitioner's representation. Therefore, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.
8. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the petitioner's Page No. 4 of 7
representation dated 26.06.2025 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed by the second respondent within a period of sixteen weeks.
9. 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 second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.06.2025 and pass appropriate orders on its own merits and in accordance with law, within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If there is any error in the classification of the land, the same shall be rectified. 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.] 30.01.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No Page No. 5 of 7
To 1.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.
3.The Tahsildar, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli.
Page No. 6 of 7
K.SURENDER , J.
JEN 30.01.2026 Page No. 7 of 7