Uma v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 23.06.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR 1.Uma 2.Nagadevi ... Petitioners vs.
1.The District Collector, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Spencer Campus, Dindigul District 3.The Tahsildar, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 3rd respondent to re-issue the Legal Heir Certificate of the deceased Mr. Chelladurai by including the names of the petitioners and all other legal heirs, pursuant to the proceedings of 2nd respondent in Na.Ka. No. 5451/2025/A2 dated 06.11.2025, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court. 1/5
For Petitioners :Mr.R.Jagadeeshwaran For Respondents :Mrs.K.R.Shivashankari *****
O R D E R
The petitioners have filed the present writ petition seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent to re-issue the legal heir certificate in respect of the deceased, Chelladurai, by including the names of the petitioners and all the other legal heirs, pursuant to the proceedings dated 06.11.2025 issued by the second respondent.
2. The first petitioner claims to be the legally wedded wife of the deceased Chelladurai, and the second petitioner claims to be the daughter born out of the said wedlock. It is the case of the petitioners that, after the demise of Chelladurai, his second wife, namely, Shanthi, submitted an application for issuance of a legal heir certificate in her favour and in favour of her three children born through the second marriage. The third respondent, without conducting a proper enquiry, issued a legal heir certificate in favour of Shanthi and her children. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioners approached the second respondent. 2/5
3.The second respondent, upon considering the enquiry reports submitted by the Village Administrative Officer and the Revenue Inspector, came to the conclusion that the first petitioner is the legally wedded wife of the deceased. Consequently, the legal heir certificate issued in favour of Shanthi and her children was cancelled. According to the petitioners, despite the said proceedings, the third respondent has not taken any steps to issue a fresh legal heir certificate.
4. Mrs. K.R. Shivashankari, learned Government Advocate, who accepts notice on behalf of the respondents, on instructions, submitted that the proceedings dated 06.11.2025 do not contain any direction to reissue the legal heir certificate. It was further submitted that, upon cancellation of the earlier legal heir certificate, the third respondent is required to conduct a fresh enquiry before issuing a new legal heir certificate. If the petitioners submit a fresh application for issuance of a legal heir certificate, the same will be considered in accordance with law. The said submission is placed on record.
5. In view of the above submission, the writ petition stands disposed of by reserving liberty to the petitioners to submit a fresh 3/5
application for issuance of a legal heir certificate, including the names of the petitioners as well as the children of Shanthi, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Upon receipt of such application, the third respondent shall conduct a fresh enquiry, afford an opportunity of hearing to all the concerned parties, and thereafter pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of two months.
6. There shall be no order as to costs.
Index :Yes / No 23.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No (1/2) NCC :Yes / No cmr To 1.The District Collector, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Spencer Campus, Dindigul District 3.The Tahsildar, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.
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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.
cmr 23.06.2026 (1/2) 5/5