J.Jeganathan v. The District Revenue Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :14.10.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY and WMP (MD) Nos.22580 & 22581 of 2024 J.Jeganathan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi Revenue Division, Tenkasi District.

3. The Tahsildar, Sankarankovil Taluk Office, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order, passed by the 3rd respondent, vide Na.Ka.No. REVSKL/ 152/ 2023-B4 dated 04.09.2023, and quash the same as not valid and thereby directing the respondents 1 to 3, to issue the Natham Patta for S.No.427/2 inThanoothu, a hamlet of Kulasekaramangalam Revenue Village in Sankarankovil Taluk, in Tenkasi District.

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For Petitioner :Mr.F.X.Eugene For Respondents :Mr.K.R.Badurus Zaman Government Advocate for R1 to R3

O R D E R

By asserting that an elementary school has been running in the land in Survey No.427/2 for more than 100 years, by relying on registered partnership partition deed dated 11.05.1967 and registered Will dated 06.02.2004, the petitioner had applied for issuance of 'Natham Patta'. The said request was rejected by the order impugned herein.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the school was built on the said land and that license was issued in relation thereto by the Tahsildar, Sankaran Kovil in August, 2016. He also relies upon the adangal extract which also reflects the name of the school.

3. Learned Government Advocate has placed on record the revenue record classifying the land as "Arasu Natham Poramboke". He also relies upon the written instructions from the Tahsildar in this regard. He points out that the authority to reclassify land is vested with the District Revenue Officer.

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4. The documents on record, including revenue records submitted by the respondents reveal that Hindu Primary school is functioning on land in Survey No.427/2. In the affidavit, it is stated that such school is functioning for more than 100 years. In the circumstances, it is just and necessary that the first respondent considers the petitioner's request for reclassification and issuance of patta. Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:

(i) The petitioner is permitted to submit an application seeking reclassification and issuance of patta within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

(ii) Upon receipt thereof, the first respondent is directed to consider the same and pass orders on merits within three months from the date of receipt thereof without reference to the order impugned herein. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

14.10.2025 NCC :No Internet :Yes Index :No PKN 3/5

To

1. The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi Revenue Division, Tenkasi District.

3. The Tahsildar, Sankarankovil Taluk Office, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.

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SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.

PKN 14.10.2025 5/5