Vani Rani v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 20.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER 1.Vani Rani 2.Arunprakash 3.Muthu Lakshmi 4.Kaviya ... Petitioners Vs.

1.The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

2.The Thasildar, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 29.01.2024 with regard to issue patta to the petitioners' dwelling house respectively situated at Survey No.26/2 in Marikundu Village and S.No.1512/3 in Sanmugasundharapuram Village, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District or otherwise give alternative place in the above said village within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioners : Mr.V.G.Vallarasu Chezhiyan 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 respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 29.01.2024 for issuance of patta in respect of the petitioner's dwelling houses situated in Survey No.26/2 at Marikundu Village and Survey No.1512/3 at Sanmugasundharapuram Village, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District or in the alternative to allot an alternative site in the said villages within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

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 petitioners is that they are poor and landless persons and have been residing in Survey No. 26/2 at Marikundu Village, classified as "Anatheenam" and in Survey No.1512/3 at Sanmugasundharapuram Village classified as "Tharisu", for more than ten Page No. 2 of 5

years. The second respondent demolished the houses constructed by the petitioners. The petitioners have been applying for grant of free house-site patta in respect of the said lands from the year 2014 onwards. The petitioners submitted a representation dated 29.01.2024 to the respondents seeking issuance of free house-site patta or in the alternative allotment of an alternative site in the said villages. However, the said representation has not been considered. Hence, the petitioners have been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the representation of the petitioners dated 29.01.2024 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed by the respondents within a period of sixteen weeks.

5. 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 respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners dated 29.01.2024 and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The representation shall be disposed of Page No. 3 of 5

after conducting an enquiry. The respondents are also directed to provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioners 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.] 20.02.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

2.The Thasildar, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.

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K.SURENDER , J.

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