R.Chellappa v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P(MD) No. 14897 of 2026 and W.M.(MD)No.11196 of 2026 R.Chellappa .. Petitioner - Vs. -

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

2. The Tahsildar, .. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of CERTIORARIFIED MANDAMUS, to call for the records relating to the impugned order of the 2nd Respondent in Application No.TN.7202603031892 dated 25.03.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to grant legal heirship certificate to the petitioner. For Petitioner(s) : Mr.M.S.Suresh Kumar For Respondent(s) : Mrs.K.R.Shivashankari, Government Advocate 1/6

ORDER

The petitioner challenges the order passed by the second respondent rejecting his application for issuance of a legal heir certificate.

2.The petitioner's father, namely, Ramamoorthy, died on 04.02.2000, leaving behind the petitioner and his other children as his legal heirs. The petitioner submitted an application before the second respondent seeking issuance of a legal heir certificate. However, the application came to be rejected by the impugned order on the ground that the petitioner had not produced sufficient documents in support of his claim.

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

4.A perusal of the impugned order reveals that no specific reasons have been assigned for rejecting the petitioner's application. The order merely states that relevant documents have not been produced, without 2/6

indicating the nature of the documents required or the deficiencies in the application.

5.Further, the question as to who are the legal heirs of the deceased can be effectively determined only after conducting an enquiry and affording an opportunity to all interested parties. The second respondent ought to have summoned the petitioner and the other alleged legal heirs and conducted an enquiry before arriving at a conclusion. 6.In the present case, the impugned order has been passed without conducting any such enquiry. The same is therefore in violation of the principles of natural justice and cannot be sustained. 7.Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed. The rejection order dated 25.03.2026 passed by the second respondent in Application No. TN.7202603031892 is hereby set aside.

8.The second respondent is directed to reconsider the petitioner's application, conduct a proper enquiry after issuing notice to the necessary 3/6

parties, and ascertain the legal heirs of the deceased Ramamoorthy. If it is found that the petitioner and the other persons claimed by him are the legal heirs of the deceased, the second respondent shall issue a legal heir certificate accordingly.

9.The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of two

(2) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

10. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

05.06.2026 Index :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No PJL To

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, 4/6

2. The Tahsildar, 5/6

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

PJL 05.06.2026 6/6