K.Rajanathan v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN K.Rajanathan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3.The Deputy Registrar, Registration Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
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5.The District Registrar, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
6.The Sub Registrar, Sub Registrar Office, Kalaiyarkovil, Sivagangai District.
7.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District.
8.Ramaiah ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 6 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 14.02.2026 and initiate appropriate proceedings for cancellation of the land assignment granted in favour of the 8th respondent in respect of Survey No.129/5, Chennalgudi Group, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District, measuring 1.21.50 hectares and consequently resume the said land to the Government if violations are established, within a stipulated time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Marichamy For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok (R1 to R7) Additional Government Pleader 2/7
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 6 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 14.02.2026 and to initiate appropriate proceedings for the cancellation of the land assignment granted in favour of the 8th respondent in respect of the land comprised in Survey No.129/5, Chennalgudi Group, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District, measuring an extent of 1.21.50 hectares, and consequently to resume the said land to the Government if any violations are established, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. 2.The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation, claiming to represent the residents of Sennelkudi Group, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District. According to the petitioner, the subject land is classified as Government punja land as per the Settlement 'A' Register. The said land was assigned in favour of the 8th respondent in the year 1989 and a patta was issued in his favour. 3/7
3.The main grievance of the petitioner is that the 8th respondent was not a landless poor person at the time of the assignment and that he was already holding substantial agricultural lands in Sivagangai Taluk. Since Government lands can be assigned only to eligible landless poor persons, the petitioner claims to have submitted a detailed representation before the authorities seeking cancellation of the alleged illegal assignment granted in favour of the 8th respondent. As the said representation has not been considered so far, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition. 4.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.J.Ashok, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 7.
5.When a query was raised to the petitioner as to whether any resolution had been passed in this regard, there was absolutely no answer forthcoming. Further, we find that the very locus standi for filing such a Writ 4/7
Petition in the name of Public Interest Litigation has not been established. It is stated that the 8th respondent is the former President of the Panchayat and that the petitioner is also a member of the Association. Hence, we find that instead of being filed in the public interest, the present Writ Petition appears to have been filed in furtherance of a private interest. 6.Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.
[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 06.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 5/7
To 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3.The Deputy Registrar, Registration Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
5.The District Registrar, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
6.The Sub Registrar, Sub Registrar Office, Kalaiyarkovil, Sivagangai District.
7.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 06.03.2026 7/7