Pala.Lakshmanan v. The District Revenue Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER Pala.Lakshmanan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

3.The Tahsildar, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to conduct enquiry based on the petitioner's representation dated 09.05.2023 and pass appropriate order within a stipulated time prescribed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Srinivasan For Respondents : Mr.R.Ragavendran Government Advocate Page No. 1 of 6

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to conduct an enquiry based on the petitioner's representation dated 09.05.2023 and pass appropriate orders within a stipulated time as prescribed by this Court.

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner's grandfather purchased a housing plot bearing Plot No.15 situated in the Zamindhar Colony Layout. The said property legally devolved upon the petitioner through his father. During his lifetime, the petitioner's grandfather constructed a building on the said property. The property was thereafter let out to Sarvodhaya Sangh for the purpose of running a soap manufacturing unit. The said property was also assessed to property tax by the Panchayat in the name of the petitioner's grandfather. In the year 2018, the Sarvodhaya Sangh handed over the possession of the property.

3. The respondents have not granted patta in favour of the petitioner. Since many of the owners of the adjacent plots were residing elsewhere, certain land grabbers created forged documents and obtained Page No. 2 of 6

pattas in their names, against whom proceedings are pending at the instance of the said landowners. The petitioner, however, is the lawful owner of the subject property.

4. Though the petitioner produced all relevant documents, such as the Sale Deed, rental agreement, property tax receipts and electricity bills, etc. before the respondents, no steps were taken to subdivide the property and grant patta in his favour. Therefore, the petitioner submitted a detailed representation dated 09.05.2023 to the respondents as well as to the Commissioner of Land Administration along with all supporting documents. The Commissioner, by proceedings dated 20.06.2023, forwarded the said representation to the first respondent with a direction to initiate appropriate action and pass orders after conducting an enquiry.

5. Even thereafter, no action has been taken by either the first respondent or the second respondent. Hence, the petitioner was constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

6. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents undertakes to consider the petitioner's representation/application and pass Page No. 3 of 6

appropriate orders by the second respondent after conducting enquiry within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. Recording the aforesaid submissions and without going into the merits of the case, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation/application and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law within a period of eight 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 second respondent is also directed to provide a reasonable opportunity during such enquiry to the petitioner and to any other interested parties who may be affected by the decision. In the event of any rival claims, the same can be agitated before the competent civil court. There shall be no order as to costs.

[K.SURENDER, J.] 17.12.2025 JEN Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-Speaking Order Page No. 4 of 6

To 1.The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

3.The Tahsildar, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.

Page No. 5 of 6

K.SURENDER , J.

JEN 17.12.2025 Page No. 6 of 6