Saraswathi v. R.Govindarajalu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN in W.P.(MD)No.9222 of 2025 Saraswathi ... Petitioner Vs.

R.Govindarajalu, The District Revenue Officer, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram..

... Respondent Prayer: Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to initiate contempt proceedings as against the contemnor / third respondent and punish him for willful disobedience of the order in W.P.(MD)No.9222 of 2025, dated 02.04.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Anto Prince For Respondent : Mr.K.Balasubramani Special Government Pleader 1/4

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2. The petitioner filed W.P.(MD)No.9222 of 2025 for including her name in the joint patta. This Court vide order dated 02.04.2025 disposed of the writ petition in the following terms:- "6.In view of the above, the said order dated 10.02.2023, is set aside and the matter is remitted to the District Revenue Officer, Ramanathapuram, to consider the petitioner's application for issuance of joint patta in the names of all the legal heirs of his deceased father, after hearing the petitioner as well as siblings of the petitioner. The said exercise shall be carried out within a period of eight [8] weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order."

Contending that the direction of this Court has not been complied with, this contempt petition came to be filed.

3.Statutory notice was ordered. When the matter was taken up for hearing, Thiru.Govindarajalu, DRO, Ramanathapuram appeared in person through the learned Special Government Pleader and produced the copy of the order dated 14.10.2025. The learned counsel for the petitioner assails the validity of the said order. 2/4

4. There may be considerable force in the contentions of the petitioner's counsel. But then, the DRO cannot be hauled up by going into the merits of the matter. This Court had called upon the DRO to pass an order and an order has been passed. Of-course, there has been some delay. It is not too inordinate. It is also seen that the petitioner has filed partition suit in O.S.No.19 of 2019 on the file of the District Munsif Court, Paramakudi. The learned trial Judge is directed to dispose of O.S.No.19 of 2019 within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. The Contempt Petition is closed.

07.11.2025 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No rmi NOTE:Registry to mark a copy of this direction to the learned DMC Paramakudi.

To The District Revenue Officer, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram..

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

rmi in W.P.(MD)No.9222 of 2025 07.11.2025 4/4