Sri Santhanaramaswamy Temple v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.06.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR Sri Santhanaramaswamy Temple, Thiruvaiyathukudi Village, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavure District, Rep by its Hereditary Trustee N.Vedamurthi.
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Petitioner Vs 1 The District Collector, Thanjavure.
2 The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam.
3 The Tahsildhar, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavure District 4 The Revenue Inspector, Papanasam, Thanjavure District.
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Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus, forbearing the respondents from
allotting and issuing house site pattas in the land comprised in S.No.163/1 and 163/5 of Thiruvaiyathukudi Village, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavure District, without earmarking the land and issuing patta to the petitioner temple.
For Petitioner :
Mr.G.Chandrasekar For Respondents : Mrs.S.Jeya Prya, Govt. Advocate.
ORDER
The Writ Petition is filed, seeking issuance of writ of mandamus, forbearing the respondents from allotting and issuing house site pattas in respect of the land comprised in Survey No.163/1 and 163/5 of Thiruvaiyathukudi Village, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavure District.
2. According to the petitioner, he is the hereditary trustee of Sri Santhanaramaswamy Temple, situated in the above said Survey No.163/5. According to him, the above said temple owns 1.5 acre in the subject survey number. The fourth respondent issued a public notice on 14.10.2022 that the subject property in Survey No.163/1 and 163/5 will be considered for assignment of free house site pattas to eligible persons. In the said
notification, the fourth respondent also called for objection from the general public for the proposal. In response to the said notice, the petitioner submitted an objection before the third respondent on 28.10.2022, stating that the above said temple owns property in the said survey number and only after demarcating the property owned by the temple, the respondents can proceed with issuance of pattas in respect of the rest of the property. Without considering the objection of the petitioner, the respondent attempted to proceed with the issuance of house site pattas. Therefore, the petitioner has approached this Court with the above mentioned prayer.
3. In view of the objection raised by the petitioner that the temple is situated in Survey No.163/5 and it owns nearly 1.5 acres of land in the subject survey number, it is for the third respondent to consider the objection raised by the petitioner, dated 28.10.2022, and pass final orders on its own merits, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner. The above said exercise shall be completed by the third respondent within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Till the objections raised by the petitioner are considered and orders are passed, the respondents shall not proceed with issuance of free house site pattas in respect of the subject property.
4. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected W.M.P.(MD) Nos.22901 of 2022 is closed. 25.06.2025 NCC :
Yes / No (1/2) Index :
Yes / No Internet :
Yes / No dixit To:
1 The District Collector, Thanjavure.
2 The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam.
3 The Tahsildhar, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavure District 4 The Revenue Inspector, Papanasam, Thanjavure District.
S.SOUNTHAR, J.
dixit (1/2) 25.06.2025