Rethinammal .V v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER V.Rethinammal ... Petitioner -vs1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Trichy Road, Thanjavur.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Thanjavur.

3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Pattukottai.

4.The Head Surveyor, Department of Survey, Taluk Office Campus, Pattukottai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to issue separate patta from joint Patta No.1326 for the properties covered by the sale deeds dated 22.05.1978 registered as Document Nos.643/1978 and 644/1978 of Keezhakurichi Village Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Vadivel For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to issue separate Patta in respect of the properties covered by Sale Deeds dated 22.05.1978, registered as Document Nos.643/1978 and 644/1978, currently included in Joint Patta No.1326, situated in Keezhakurichi Village, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties.

3. According to the petitioner, she is the rightful owner of the properties covered by Sale Deeds dated 22.05.1978, registered as Document Nos.643/1978 and 644/1978, situated in Keezhakurichi Village, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District. The properties are currently included in Joint Patta No.1326, which does not reflect the petitioner's individual ownership. The petitioner submitted several representations to the respondents requesting issuance of separate Patta in her favour, but no action has been taken.

4. The inaction of the respondents is arbitrary and amounts to noncompliance with their statutory duty to issue Patta in accordance with law. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

5. The learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents submits that the petitioner's representation will be considered on its merits and in accordance with law.

6. Recording the above submission, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representations dated 01.02.2023 and 15.02.2023, on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The representation shall be considered and disposed of after conducting an enquiry. The third respondent is directed to provide reasonable opportunity during such enquiry to the petitioner and also to the other persons, who may be affected by such decision. There shall be no order as to costs. NCC : Yes / No (K.SURENDER, J.) Index : Yes / No 03.12.2025

To:- 1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Trichy Road, Thanjavur.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Thanjavur.

3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Pattukottai.

4.The Head Surveyor, Department of Survey, Taluk Office Campus, Pattukottai.

K.SURENDER , J.

smn2 03.12.2025