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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/14591/2026disposed of

C.Jayasudha v. The District Collector

2026-06-18Honourable Mr Justice D.Bharatha Chakravarthy6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 18.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.(MD)No.10933 of 2026 C.Jayasudha ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur Division, Thanjavur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Thiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the online rejection order passed by the 3rd respondent in Application No.TN-2720260305101, dated 05.03.2026 relating to issuance of Deserted Woman Certificate quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to reconsider the petitioner's application and issue Deserted 1/6

Woman Certificate after conducting proper enquiry within a time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.N. Marimuthu, For Respondents : Mr.R.Parthiban Government Standing Counsel

ORDER

The writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated 05.03.2026.

2. When the petitioner filed an online application seeking a certificate that she is a deserted woman, the same was rejected. The case of the petitioner is that she got married to one Anthony Raj, who failed to take care of her, and ultimately I.D.O.P.No.94 of 2022 came to be filed before the Family Court, Thanjavur. A decree of divorce was also granted by mutual consent. The learned counsel for the petitioner states that merely because the divorce was granted by mutual consent, the authorities have not considered her application for the certificate. Even that reason has not been specifically spelt out in the impugned order. The impugned order is a cryptic one, merely stating that the application is rejected.

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3. Per contra, the learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents would submit that, in an online application, the status is uploaded as "application rejected".

4. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.

5. Except for the impugned order, no other order has been produced on behalf of the respondents. In view thereof, the impugned order does not contain any reasons for rejection and, as such, is liable to be set aside. The other apprehension that is made by the petitioner is that the certificate is being rejected on the ground of mutual consent. The Government issued G.O.No.56, dated 02.09.2022, to extend welfare benefits to widows, women deserted by their husbands, destitute women, disadvantaged and orphaned women and women of advanced age etc. Though the Government Order does not contain a detailed definition of every concept, the literal meaning of the term used in the Government Order, namely, "fztdhy; iftplg;gl;l ngz;fs;" would generally mean a woman who is not being taken care of by her husband. Merely because spouses choose to amicably end their marital relationship by 3/6

way of mutual consent, it does not mean that the wife has been taken care of by her husband. Until she is remarried or otherwise settled, the said term would be applicable to her.

6. In view thereof, and in any event, since no reasons whatsoever have been given in the impugned order, the writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:

i. The impugned order dated 05.03.2026 shall stand quashed and the matter shall stand remitted back to the file of the third respondent;

ii. The third respondent shall once again reconsider the application, and if necessary, can also summon the petitioner for furnishing any further details etc., and upon considering the matter afresh, pass orders in accordance with law; iii. The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a web copy of this order.

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iv. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

18.06.2026 sji NCC : Yes/No TO 1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur Division, Thanjavur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Thiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur District.

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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

sji

ORDER

IN WP(MD) No.14591 of 2026 Date : 18/06/2026 6/6