A.Rayappa Devar v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED:10.02.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.B.BALAJI and W.M.P(MD)No.2535 of 2025 A.Rayappa Devar ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, Tenkasi Collector Office, Tenkasi District.
2.The Tahsildar, Veerakeralam Pudur Taluk Office, Veerakeralam Pudur, Tenkasi District.
3.The Block Development Officer, Alangulam Union, Tenkasi District.
4.The Vice President, Utthumalai Village Panchayath Office, Utthumalai, Veerakeralam Pudur Taluk, Tenkasi District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 and 2 to issue patta in 1/5
the name of the petitioner for the agriculture punja land bearing in S.No.542/1 for an extent of 5 acres 20 cents and the same is situated at Utthumalai Village, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 3 to take appropriate action against the fourth respondent based on the petitioner representation dated 23.12.2024 within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.D.Ganeshamoorthi For Respondents : Mr.S.Kameswaran Government Advocate for R1 & R2 Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate for R3 & R4
ORDER
The petitioner has filed the instant writ petition seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2, namely, the District Collector and the Tahsildar, to issue patta in the petitioner's name, in respect of agricultural punja lands comprised in S.No.542/1, measuring 5 acres and 20 cents at Utthumalai Village, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 23.12.2024 and also direct the respondents 1 to 3 to take action against the fourth respondent, Vice President of Utthumalai Village Panchayat Office.
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2.The learned Government Advocate appearing for the official respondents 1 and 2 submits that the District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, is the competent authority to decide the matter and the petitioner has not impleaded the District Revenue Officer in the present petition and therefore, a direction may be issued to the petitioner to approach the competent authority, namely, the District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, to redresses his grievances. 3.In view of the above, though no positive directions can be issued in this writ petition, in the absence of the competent authority being arrayed as respondents, I direct the petitioner to give a representation to the District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, seeking issuance of patta.
Thereafter, the District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, shall consider the petitioner's application and all supporting documents that may be enclosed along with the said application/representation and consider the same in accordance with law and dispose of the same within a period of six weeks thereafter.
4.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 10.02.2025 sji NCC: Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No To 1.The District Collector, Tenkasi Collector Office, Tenkasi District.
2.The Tahsildar, Veerakeralam Pudur Taluk Office, Veerakeralam Pudur, Tenkasi District.
3.The Block Development Officer, Alangulam Union, Tenkasi District.
Copy to The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District.
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P.B.BALAJI , J.
sji 10.02.2025 5/5