P.Gopalakrishnan v. The District Revenue Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN P.Gopalakrishnan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, O/o District Revenue Officer, District Collectorate Premises, Dindigul - 624 004.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o the Revenue Divisional Officer, Indira Nagar, Palani, Dindigul District.

Pin 624 601.

3.The Revenue Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Market Road, Vedasandur, Dindigul District, Pin 624 710.

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4.R.Vijayan

5. Lakshmi ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st to 3rd respondents to cancel the two pattas vide Nos. 1166 and 6970 respectively of the 4th and 5th respondents comprising in Survey No.1907/3 situated at Padiyur village, Vedasanthur Taluk, Dindigul District by considering the petitioners representation dated 17.02.2026 sent to the 1st to 3rd respondents within the stipulated period as fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.L.Prabhu For Respondents : Mr.A.Kannan (R1 to R3) Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 3 to cancel the pattas bearing Nos. 1166 and 6970 standing in the names of respondents 4 and 5 respectively, in respect of 2/7

the property comprised in Survey No. 1907/3, situated at Padiyur Village, Vedasanthur Taluk, Dindigul District, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 17.02.2026.

2.The petitioner contends that he is serving as a Poosari of the concerned temple and challenges the grant and subsequent transactions relating to a free house site patta. It is submitted that the fourth respondent was allotted a free house site patta bearing No. 1166 in Natham Poramboke land by the State Government, which was intended solely for residential construction. However, in violation of the conditions of such grant, the 4th respondent is alleged to have constructed a commercial shop on the said land and alienated the same in favour of the 5th respondent. 3.It is further contended that the fifth respondent, upon such purchase, obtained a separate patta bearing No. 6970, which, according to the petitioner, is illegal, since the original patta was non-transferable. The petitioner also alleges that the fourth respondent was otherwise ineligible for 3/7

such allotment, as he owns other properties, including a house and a poultry farm, and that his wife is employed as a Teacher in a Government High School.

4.The petitioner further submits that the fourth respondent holds another free house site patta bearing No. 994 in Survey No. 1911/18, which is also liable to be cancelled. It is alleged that the pattas were obtained by the 4th respondent through fraudulent means by submitting forged and fabricated documents before the concerned revenue authorities. 5.The grievance of the petitioner is that, despite submitting a representation seeking cancellation of the pattas bearing Nos. 1166 and 6970, the respondents 1 to 3 have not taken any action. Hence, the present Writ Petition has been filed seeking appropriate directions for cancellation of the said pattas.

6.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

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7.The challenge in the present Writ Petition is only with regard to cancellation of pattas. The proper remedy for the petitioner is to file an appeal before the competent authority, namely, the second respondent. Therefore, it is open to the petitioner to file such an appeal in the manner known to law. If any such appeal is filed, the second respondent shall consider and dispose of the same, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to all the necessary parties. 8.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs.

[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 27.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 5/7

To 1.The District Revenue Officer, O/o District Revenue Officer, District Collectorate Premises, Dindigul - 624 004.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o the Revenue Divisional Officer, Indira Nagar, Palani, Dindigul District.

Pin 624 601.

3.The Revenue Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Market Road, Vedasandur, Dindigul District, Pin 624 710.

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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.

and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.

ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 27.03.2026 7/7