P.Senthil Murugan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN & W.M.P(MD)Nos.23826, 23828, 23829, 23831, 23835 & 23837 of 2025 1.P.Senthil Murugan 2.S.Anandh ... Petitioners /Vs./

1. The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur - 613 010.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam Taluk, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District - 612 001.

3. The Sub Registrar Joint - 1, Office of the District Registrar, Cutchery Road, Kumbakonam - 612 001, Thanjavur District.

4. The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur - 613 010.

5. The Commissioner, Kumbakonam Municipal Corporation, Kumbakonam - 612 001.

6. N.Muthuraman ... Respondents 1/6

PRAYER:- Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent herein the District Collector, Thanjavur District to direct the other respondents 2nd to 4th herein in this writ petition not to allow any kind of mutation of records of the schedule properties as found in the revenue records as on date and restore the position antidate to the year 1985, i.e., prior to the settlement deed dated 20.06.2025 of Doc No.3410/2025 registered by Karpagavalli and Muruganandam to Rajasekar and subsequently done by Rajasekar to Muthuraman Vide Doc No.3573/2025 dated 27.06.2025 and for an extent of 8166.0 sq.ft plus 3024.0 sq.ft and 4004.0 sq.f encumbered vide Document No.4292/2025 dated 28.06.2025 on the file of the SRO Joint 1, Kumbakonam in Survey No.

1514 (2C) previously Survey No.1514 in Block No.28, Ward No.3, Kumbakonam Town. For Petitioners : Mr.R.Prakash For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar (R1 to R3) Government Pleader : Mr.M.Karunanithi (R4) Government Advocate : Mr.K.Mohammed Riyaz (R5) for Mr.B.

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.) WMP (MD) No.23826 of 2025 filed seeking to file a single Writ Petition is ordered on payment of separate Court fee.

2. Prayer in this writ petition is a convoluted one, and simply put the petitioners seek a mandamus directing the District Collector and other respondents not to allow mutation of revenue records in S.No. 1514(2C), Block No.28, Ward No.3, Kumbakonam Town ('property'/'property in question') and restore the position ante to the year 1985, i.e., prior to the execution of settlement deed dated 20.06.2025.

3. The gist of the case is that the property in question was settled upon reservation at the time of formation of a layout, despite which the property has been transferred vide settlement deed dated 20.06.2025 registered as Document No.3410/25 by Karpagavalli and Muruganandham to one Rajasekar and thereafter, by said Rajasekar to one Muthuraman, arrayed as R7 in this writ petition, vide Document No. 3573/25 dated 27.06.2025. According to the learned counsel for the petitioners, there are encumbrances created upon the property in 3/6

question, thereafter.

4. Since the matter is replete with facts, though it claims to espouse a public cause, we feel it appropriate to direct the authorities, specifically, the Commissioner, Kumbakonam Municipal Corporation, arrayed as R5 in this writ petition, to dispose representation dated 29.09.2025, taking inputs from official respondents, if need be and after hearing the petitioners as well as the private parties mentioned in the settlement deeds and the donors of the land / property in question and pass orders in accordance with law, within a period of twelve weeks from today.

5. R5 is also directed to decide, at the outset whether there is a prima facie reason for him to prevent creation of further encumbrances on the property in question. Let this consideration be made within a period of two weeks.

6. At this juncture, the petitioners also say that based on their crusade against activities of land grabbing as alleged in the present case, they are facing threats to life and limb, and have filed a police complaint. But no action has been taken thus far in that regard. 4/6

7. If the petitioners pursue the complaint, the police authorities are directed to look into the same and do the needful in accordance with law.

8. With this and as the mandamus sought for stands achieved by virtue of this order, this writ petition stands closed.

9. Since the interests of R6 has been protected by virtue of the directions under this order, wherein the representation of the petitioners will be disposed only after hearing them and the private respondent and other interested parties, no notice is issued to R6 in this writ petition. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed. [A.S.M.J.,] & [C.K.J.,] 29.10.2025 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes sm 5/6

DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.

AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

sm To

1. The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur - 613 010.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam Taluk, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District - 612 001.

3. The Sub Registrar Joint - 1, Office of the District Registrar, Cutchery Road, Kumbakonam - 612 001, Thanjavur District.

4. The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur - 613 010.

5. The Commissioner, Kumbakonam Municipal Corporation, Kumbakonam - 612 001.

Order made in Dated:

29.10.2025 6/6