R.Mahesh Alies Maheshdurai v. The Special Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :01.04.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY R.Mahesh @ Maheshdurai ... Petitioner vs.
1.The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Land Administration, Cheppakam, Chennai - 600 005.
2.The Director of Land Survey and Settlement, Ezhilagam, Cheppakkam, Chennai - 600 005.
3.The Land Settlement Officer, Thanjavur.
4.The Assistant Land Settlement Officer, Madurai.
5.The District Forest Officer, Sivagangai.
...Respondents
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling 1/6
for the records relating to the impugned proceeding vide letter Na.Ka.No.K1/12023732/2025 dated 16.02.2026 issued by the 1st respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the 1st respondent to hold appropriate enquiry and grant patta to the petitioners family and in respect of lands in S.No.1/2 and 9/8 situtated at Sekkalakottai Village, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District. For Petitioner : Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan For Respondents : Mrs.S.Jeya Priya Government Advocate *****
ORDER
The present writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to quash the impugned proceeding vide letter Na.Ka.No.K1/12023732/2025 dated 16.02.2026 issued by the first respondent and consequently direct the first respondent to hold an enquiry and grant patta to the petitioner's family in respect of lands in S.No.1/2 and 9/8 situtated at Sekkalakottai Village, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.
2. Mrs.S.Jeya Priya, learned Government Advocate, takes notice for the respondents.
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3.By consent of both parties, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that, after submitting the representation dated 24.09.2025, the petitioner filed a writ petition before this Court in W.P.(MD) No. 3374 of 2026. This Court, by an order dated 06.02.2026, after recording the submission of the learned Government Advocate and without expressing any opinion on the merits, directed the first respondent therein to consider the petitioner's representation and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law. The Court further directed that the representation be disposed of after conducting an enquiry and by providing a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as well as to any other interested parties who may be affected by such decision, before passing any order.
5. The said order was passed on 06.02.2026. However, the first respondent passed the present impugned order on 16.02.2026. Therefore, it is evident that the first respondent did not provide the personal hearing as directed by this Court. Accordingly, the impugned 3/6
order dated 16.02.2026 is quashed, and the matter is remitted back to the first respondent for fresh consideration. The first respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's case after issuing notice to the petitioner and any rival claimants, if any, and to provide an opportunity for a personal hearing. Thereafter, the first respondent shall conduct an enquiry and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. Accordingly, the writ petition stands allowed. No costs. 01.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes am 4/6
To 1.The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Land Administration, Cheppakam, Chennai - 600 005.
2.The Director of Land Survey and Settlement, Ezhilagam, Cheppakkam, Chennai - 600 005.
3.The Land Settlement Officer, Thanjavur.
4.The Assistant Land Settlement Officer, Madurai.
5.The District Forest Officer, Sivagangai.
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S.SRIMATHY , J.
am ORDER MADE IN DATED :01.04.2026 6/6