Murugandi v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.03.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.5540, 5541 and 5542 of 2024 Murugandi ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Office, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.
2.The District Revenue Officer, O/o.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate Campus, Ramanathapuram District.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Collectorate Campus, Ramanathapuram District.
4.The Tahsildar, O/o.Tahsildar, Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram District.
5.The Village Administrative Officer, O/o.The Village Administrative Officer, Illanjembur Post, Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram District.
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6.Parvati 7.Swaminathan 8.Sathaiyan ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order in Na.Ka.A2/7800/2023 dated 29.01.2024 on the file of the Respondent No.4 and to quash the same as illegal and consequentially for a direction, forbearing the Respondents No.1 to 5 to not to conduct any enquiry or peace committee meeting with regard to property bearing the Survey No.91/1A2, Illanjembur Group, Mudukulathur Taluk, Ramanathapuram District within the time period stipulated by this Honble Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Rajasekar For Respondents : Mr.A.Kannan, Addl. Government Pleader for R1 to R5.
ORDER
Heard the learned counsel for the writ petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader for the official respondents. 2.The petitioner challenges the impugned notice wherein it has been proposed to hold peace committee meeting.
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3.In my view, the petitioner ought not to avoid attending the meeting. The official respondents would only make a sincere and earnest endeavour to resolve the outstanding disputes. Court of late are encouraging alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. I view peace committee meeting also in the same manner. It is open to the petitioner to accept the proposal that may emanate in a peace committee meeting or say "no". I have been consistently holding that no decision can be thrust on any individual in the guise of holding a peace committee meeting. Such meetings are not convened as per any legal provision. Decisions taken in such meetings cannot be legally enforced. No person can be penalized or face any legal consequence for not adhering to such a decision. That is why, I have been holding that such decisions are not amenable to judicial challenge.
4.With this observation, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 11.03.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No ias 3/4
G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.
ias To:- 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Office, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.
2.The District Revenue Officer, O/o.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate Campus, Ramanathapuram District.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Collectorate Campus, Ramanathapuram District.
4.The Tahsildar, O/o.Tahsildar, Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram District.
5.The Village Administrative Officer, O/o.The Village Administrative Officer, Illanjembur Post, Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram District.
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