Madras High CourtWP(MD)/17959/2021disposed of

Kottanatham Hindu Nadar Uravinmurai v. The Tahsildar

2022-06-29Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan4 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.06.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P(MD)Nos.14830, 14831 & 14832 of 2021 Kottanatham Hindu Nadar Uravinmurai, Represented by its President, Kottanatham, Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District.

... Petitioner Vs 1.The Tahsildar, Vilathikulam Taluk Office, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

2.K.Kannan 3.Moorthy 4.The Assistant Commissioner, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Office of the Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Thoothukudi District.

(R.4 is impleaded vide Court order dated 20.01.2022 in W.M.P(MD)No.239 of 2022 in W.P(MD)No.17959 of 2021) 1/4

5.Muniyasamy Thevar 6.Subramanian 7.Pandimunisamy 8.Muniasamy 9.Vellaiyan (R.5 to R.9 are impleaded vide Court order dated 07.02.2022 in W.M.P(MD)No.

17231 in 2021 in W.P(MD)No.17959 of 2021) ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of certiorari, to call for the records relating to the order passed by the first respondent, Tahsildar, Vilathikulam, dated 07.09.2021 in Na.Ka.No.A6/4608/2021 and quash the same.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Dilip Kumar For Respondents : Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader for R.1 Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader for R.4

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel on either side.

2. What is under challenge in this writ petition is the minutes of the Peace Committee Meeting held under the aegis of the Tahsildar, Vilathikulam. A copy of the minutes drawn on 07.09.2021 has been enclosed in the typed set of papers.

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3. It is well settled that the decisions taken in a Peace Committee Meeting have no statutory value or force and they do not have any legal consequences also. My attention is drawn to the order made in W.P(MD)No. 4406 of 2019 dated 01.03.2019 (R.Muthuramalaingam Vs Superintendent of Police and others). When I indicated to the petitioner's counsel that the Peace Committee Meetings are therefore not amenable to legal challenge, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the authorities are attempting to enforce the same and that is why, the writ petition came to be filed. I make it clear that it is for the parties concerned to adhere to the decision taken in the Peace Committee Meeting. It is not open to the authorities to enforce the same. The Authorities will stay away from the issue and if they want to take action, they will have to follow the due process of law.

4. With this clarification, this writ petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. 29.06.2022 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No mga 3/4

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

mga To 1.The Tahsildar, Vilathikulam Taluk Office, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Office of the Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Thoothukudi District.

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