Solomon v. The District Revenue Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER Solomon ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.Devakrishna Kumar ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to dispose of the appeal in Na.Ka.C2/14718/2017, dated 08.06.2017 pending on the file of the first respondent within the stipulated time as that may be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Madhava Govindan For R1 : Mr.S.Kameswaran Government Advocate

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to dispose of the appeal in Page No. 1 of 4

Na.Ka.C2/14718/2017, dated 08.06.2017, pending on the file of the first respondent, within a stipulated time.

2. With the consent of the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself, dispensing with the notice to the second respondent, as no adverse orders are proposed to be passed against him.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that he, an ex-serviceman, was assigned punja land in Survey No.403/2 measuring an extent of 1 acre and 48 cents and also land in Survey No. 404/1 measuring an extent of 95 cents. Patta was granted in his name on 27.06.1983. However, the patta was subsequently cancelled on 29.01.1986 and the lands were reclassified as Government punja land by the Revenue Divisional Officer without issuing proper notice to the petitioner. The petitioner continues to be in possession of the property till date. On coming to know of the cancellation, the petitioner filed an appeal dated 08.06.2017 before the first respondent and the same was taken on file in Na.Ka.C2/14718/2017. However, the appeal has not been disposed of. Hence, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition. Page No. 2 of 4

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the first respondent, on instructions, would submit that the petitioner's appeal in Na.Ka.C2/14718/2017 would be disposed of by the first respondent within a period of ten weeks.

5. 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 first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's appeal in Na.Ka.C2/14718/2017 on merits and in accordance with law within a period of ten weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The appeal shall be disposed of after conducting an enquiry. The first respondent shall afford a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, the second respondent and all other interested parties before passing orders. No costs.

[K.SURENDER, J.] 11.02.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

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K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 11.02.2026 Page No. 4 of 4