Ponnuchamy v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 05.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER Ponnuchamy ... Petitioner -vs1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sankarankovil Division, Tenkasi District.

4.The Tahsildar, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District.

5.Kaliyammal 6.M.Shanmugavel 7.Ramathal 8.Kumar ... Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4 to cancel the Patta No. 1949 in favour of the father of the respondents 5 to 8 and the Patta No.7650 in favour of fifth respondent in connection with property comprised in Survey No. 213/9 to an extent of 28 1⁄2 Cents, situated at Subramaniyapuram, Karivalamvanthanallur Village, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District and restore the same on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 19.12.2025, within the time frame stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Krishnasamy For R1 to R4 : Mr.B.Ramanathan Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to cancel Patta No.1949 in favour of the father of the respondents 5 to 8 and Patta No.7650 in favour of fifth respondent in connection with property comprised in Survey No.213/9 to an extent of 28 1⁄2 Cents, situated at Subramaniyapuram, Karivalamvanthanallur Village, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District and restore the same on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 19.12.2025, within the time frame to be fixed by this Court.

2. By consent, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. Since no adverse orders are going to be passed against the respondents 5 to 8, notice to the respondents 5 to 8 is hereby dispensed with.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the absolute owner and is in possession of the subject property. Taking advantage of erroneous and fraudulent revenue mutations, the private respondents herein, who have no manner of right, title or interest in the property, managed to secure Patta Nos.1949 and 7560 in their favour without notice to the petitioner or the other legal heirs and without verification of the original title documents. Therefore, the petitioner made several representations seeking cancellation of the illegally issued Pattas. Despite receipt of a detailed representation dated 19.12.2025 along with supporting documents, the official respondents have failed to conduct any enquiry or pass appropriate orders. Hence, the petitioner has been constrained to approach this Court seeking the relief stated supra.

5. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 submits that the third respondent / Revenue Divisional Officer, Sankarankovil Division is the competent authority to look into the grievance raised by the petitioner and that the petitioner has not preferred any appeal to the competent authority, namely, the third respondent, so far. If the petitioner prefers an appeal before the third respondent, the same shall be considered on merits and in accordance with law.

6. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner will file the fresh application along with all the necessary documents before the third respondent within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. In the event of filing a fresh application along with the necessary documents within the aforesaid time limit, the same shall be considered and disposed of by the third respondent on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to all the necessary parties concerned, within a period of ten weeks thereafter.

8. The Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above directions. No costs. NCC : Yes / No (K.SURENDER, J.) Index : Yes / No 05.02.2026 smn2 To:- 1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sankarankovil Division, Tenkasi District.

4.The Tahsildar, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District.

K.SURENDER , J.

smn2 05.02.2026