Muthukumar v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.02.2026

CORAM

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

1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Tahsildar, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai 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 issue Patta to the petitioner in respect of the land in Survey No.24/1 in Senkamadai Village, Uruvati Group, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District by considering his representation dated 17.09.2025, by following the G.O(Ms) No.97 of Revenue and Disaster Management [Ld-1(1)] Department, dated 21.02.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Vijayanand For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special 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 respondents to issue patta to the petitioner in respect of the land comprised in Survey No.24/1, Senkamadai Village, Uruvati Group, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District, by considering his representation dated 17.09.2025 and by following G.O.(Ms) No.97, Revenue and Disaster Management [LD-1(1)] Department, dated 21.02.2025.

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 belongs to the downtrodden community, is below the poverty line and is a landless person. The subject land is Government land, in which the petitioner and various others are residing. The petitioner submitted a representation dated 17.09.2025 seeking issuance of a free patta. Meanwhile, the Government has issued G.O.(Ms) No.97, Revenue and Disaster Management [LD-1(1)] Department, dated 21.02.2025, laying down Page No. 2 of 5

various guidelines for the authorities to issue patta to landless persons. However, the respondents have not considered the petitioner's representation even in accordance with the said G.O. Therefore, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the subject land has been classified as 'Vandipathai' and that however, the petitioner's representation dated 17.09.2025 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed by the respondents 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 respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.09.2025 and dispose of the same in either way on merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The representation shall be disposed of after conducting an enquiry. It is needless to state that the respondents shall provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any Page No. 3 of 5

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, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Tahsildar, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District.

Page No. 4 of 5

K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 27.02.2026 Page No. 5 of 5