Arumugam v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.04.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN Arumugam ...

Petitioner Vs 1 The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thanjavur.

2 The Sub Collector, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District.

...

Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to include the petitioner name as a Member of the Committee for purposes of issuance of patta to the Members of the Society and also further directing the 1st respondent to expedite the process for issuance of the pattas on the basis of the petitioner's representation, dated 06.03.2025. For Petitioner :

Mr.B.Jameelarasu For Respondents : Mr.S.Shaji Bino, Spl.Govt.Pleader.

ORDER

The petitioner claims that the property situated in Old Survey Nos.295-A, 255-C, 295-E, 295-2Q to 3R, 295-3T to 4Y, 295-5d, 295-5E and 295-5F, situated at Sannapuram-Thirunageswaram Village, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, was classified in the revenue records as Natham Land. He pleads that, sometime in 1925, all the survey numbers were clubbed together and a single survey number was given as Survey No.195/1.

2. During the UDR proceedings, the lands, which were originally classified as Natham lands, were reclassified as belonging to the Naganathaswamy temple. The petitioner contends that, in the meantime, 2000 families have constructed their homes on the Natham lands. As a result of the re-classification of the lands from Natham to Naganathaswamy temple, individuals, such as the petitioner, have been affected. Hence, they gave a representation for re-classification of the lands.

3. Taking into consideration the representation made by the residents, the District Collector formed a Committee, consisting of officials from the temple and the revenue department, to address the grievances of the residents. It is the plea of the petitioner that he should be made a part of the Committee. He made a representation on 06.03.2025 to that effect and has followed it up with the present Writ Petition.

4. I have heard Mr.B.Jameelarasu, for the petitioner; and Mr.S.Shaji Bino, for the respondents.

5. The narration of the facts shows that there is a plea that the revenue records have not been updated properly. One group pleads that it is Natham land and they are entitled to occupy the same. The revenue department has classified the lands as temple lands. Considering the objections of the residents, the District Collector has decided to form a Committee. This is to help the Collector to come to a conclusion as to whether the entries in the revenue records are proper or not. In such an official committee, the presence of persons, who have adverse interest to that of the temple, is neither essential nor necessary. Therefore, the plea of the petitioner is rejected. In case, he has any records to substantiate the same, he can always furnish them to the District Collector, who, if he deems fit, may forward the same to the Committee for consideration.

6. With the above observation, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs.

01.04.2025 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No dixit

To:

1 The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thanjavur.

2 The Sub Collector, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

dixit 01.04.2025