Murugan V v. The District Revenue Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.06.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR Murugan V ... Petitioner Vs.
The District Revenue Officer District Collector Office, Thoothukudi - 628 101.
... Respondent Prayer :- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to conduct an enquiry by affording an opportunity for hearing to the petitioner and dispose of his appeal dated 11.02.2019 in respect of his properties comprised in Survey Nos.260/1, 4 268/4, 6 269/3, 270/1, 3 and 272/4, 9 situated in Thennampatti Village, Kayathar Taluk, Thoothukudi District.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.Mohamad Haneef For Respondent : Mrs.K.Malathi Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
The petitioner herein seeks a direction to the respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by him dated 11.02.2019, challenging the order passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatti, rejecting the request of the petitioner for correction of UDR entry in respect of the properties comprised in Survey Nos.260/1, 4 268/4, 6 269/3, 270/1, 3 and 272/4, 9 situated in Thennampatti Village, Kayathar Taluk , Thoothukudi District.
2. Heard the arguments of Mr.A.Mohamad Haneef, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mrs.K.Malathi, learned Additional Government Pleader, who takes notice for the respondent.
3. By consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
4. It is the specific case of the petitioner that the above mentioned properties originally belonged to the grandfather of the petitioner, namely, Kothalamuthu Thevar and the revenue records also stood in his
name. During UDR updation, the revenue records were wrongly mutated in the name of third party, without any proper enquiry. Hence, the petitioner being a legal heir of Kothalamuthu Thevar filed an application before the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatti, seeking correction of UDR entry. The same was rejected by the said authority by order dated 03.09.2018. Challenging the said order, the petitioner preferred an appeal before respondent and the same was taken on file in Na.Ka.No.D6/ 114468/2023. The respondent also issued enquiry notice as early as on 09.12.2023. However, till date the appeal preferred by the petitioner has not been disposed of. Hence, the petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking necessary direction.
5. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent would submit that the appeal preferred by the petitioner will be considered on its own merit within the time stipulated by this Court.
6. In respect of UDR correction, the competent authority, to consider the grievance of the party, is the District Revenue Officer. However, the petitioner filed an application before Revenue Divisional
Officer and the same was dismissed. Now, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the District Revenue Officer and the same was also entertained.
7. In these circumstances, the respondent is directed to consider the appeal preferred by the petitioner as an application by him for correction of UDR entry and dispose of the same on its own merits within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after issuing notice to the petitioner and other interested parties.
8. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
06.06.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No LS
To The District Revenue Officer District Collector Office, Thoothukudi - 628 101.
S.SOUNTHAR ,J LS W.P.(MD)No.15284 of 2025 Dated: 06.06.2025