P.R.Kannappan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER P.R.Kannappan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai, 3.The Tahsildar, Kalayarkovil Taluk, 4.The Director of Survey and Settlement, Chennai.

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai Division, Sivagangai.

... Respondents [R4 and R5 are suo motu impleaded by this order] Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to Page No. 1 of 6

consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.06.2025 to issue patta for the land in S.No.288 situated at Gowripatti Village Group, Kalayarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District to an extent of 23 3⁄4 cents in the name of the petitioner.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Kannan For Respondents : 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 second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.06.2025 and issue patta in the name of the petitioner in respect of the land comprised in Survey No.288, to an extent of 233⁄4 cents, situated at Gowripatti Village Group, Kalayarkovil Taluk,

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 he is the owner of the subject property, which is an ancestral property. A residential house was Page No. 2 of 6

constructed in the said property by the petitioner's grandfather around the year 1900 and the family has been in continuous possession and enjoyment of the land and the house thereafter. The property continues to remain in the possession and control of the petitioner and his family members.

4. The Revenue Department has erroneously classified the entire extent of the house site as Natham land. The petitioner initially approached the third respondent, who informed him that the second respondent is the competent authority to deal with the issue. Accordingly, on 26.06.2025, the petitioner submitted an application before the second respondent seeking rectification of the revenue records and issuance of patta in his name.

5. Pursuant thereto, the second respondent, by proceedings in Na.Ka.A1/3646/2025 dated 01.07.2025, directed the third respondent to verify the petitioner's application and submit a report. Thereafter, the third respondent, by communication in Na.Ka.A2/2377/2025 dated 19.12.2025, instructed the Zonal Deputy Tahsildar and the Revenue Inspector, Nattarasankottai, to conduct a survey and submit a report. Page No. 3 of 6

However, no further action has been taken and the petitioner's application is still pending consideration.

6. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that either the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai Division, Sivagangai or the Director of Survey and Settlement, Chennai is the competent authority to consider the petitioner's grievance and that they have not been impleaded as parties to this Writ Petition.

7. In view of the above, the Director of Survey and Settlement, Chennai and the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai Divisinon, Sivagangai are suo motu impleaded as the fourth and fifth respondents, respectively.

8. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to submit a fresh representation to the fourth respondent, namely, the Director of Survey and Settlement, Chennai. On receipt of such representation, the fourth respondent shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of sixteen weeks. The Page No. 4 of 6

fourth respondent shall afford a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and all other interested parties before passing such orders. No costs.

[K.SURENDER, J.] 06.02.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai, 3.The Tahsildar, Kalayarkovil Taluk, 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai Division, Sivagangai.

5.The Director of Survey and Settlement, Chennai.

Page No. 5 of 6

K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 06.02.2026 Page No. 6 of 6