V.Lakshmi v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER V.Lakshmi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Theni, Theni District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam, Theni District.

3.The Tahsildar, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.

4.S.Murugan ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to dispose of the petitioner's appeal dated 27.10.2025 in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible within the time stipulation as prescribed by this Court based on the petitioner's representation dated 06.02.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Kamesh For R1 to R3 : Mr.D.Sadiq Raja Additional Government Pleader Page No. 1 of 5

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to dispose of the petitioner's appeal dated 27.10.2025 in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, within the time frame to be stipulated by this Court, based on the petitioner's representation dated 06.02.2026.

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 fourth respondent as no adverse orders are proposed to be passed against him.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the property in question belongs to him. However, the fourth respondent, with the assistance of certain officials, created a forged patta and subsequently executed a Settlement Deed in favour of his daughter. Thereafter, the petitioner's son lodged a complaint before the second respondent regarding the said illegal transfer of patta. The said complaint was forwarded to the third respondent for enquiry. The third respondent issued summons to the Page No. 2 of 5

fourth respondent on 16.12.2022 and 14.02.2023. However, thereafter, no further action has been taken. Again, the petitioner submitted an appeal dated 27.10.2025 to the second respondent, who vide proceedings dated 03.12.2025 directed the third respondent to conduct an enquiry and submit a report. However, no action has been taken thereafter. Therefore, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first to third respondents, on instructions, would submit that the enquiry on the petitioner's appeal dated 27.10.2025 would be completed and appropriate orders would be passed by the second respondent within a period of twelve 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 second respondent to conclude the enquiry on the petitioner's appeal dated 27.10.2025 and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is needless to state that the second respondent shall provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing Page No. 3 of 5

to the petitioner, the fourth respondent 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.] 27.02.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The District Collector, Theni, Theni District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam, Theni District.

3.The Tahsildar, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.

Page No. 4 of 5

K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 27.02.2026 Page No. 5 of 5