Rajagopal v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE Dr.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Rajagopal ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Tahsildar, Thiruverumbur Taluk, Thiruverumbur, Trichy District.

... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to dispose the appeal dated 22.05.2024 within time bound manner. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Vadivelan For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan, Special Government Pleader 1/5

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by Dr.ANITA SUMANTH, J.) The prayer of the petitioner is for a mandamus directing the District Collector, Trichy / R1 to dispose an appeal instituted by him on 22.05.2024.

2. We would normally not intervene in the roster of an Appellate Authority. However, since the appeal has been pending for more than one and half years, we had requested Mr.S.P.Maharajan, learned Special Government Pleader, who appears for the respondents to obtain instructions on how soon it may be disposed and he reverts and states that it would be disposed within eight (8) weeks. We record the same.

3. Along with the appeal, the petitioner has also filed an application for stay under Section 10B of Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act, 1905. Since he states at paragraph 9 of the affidavit 2/5

that despite pendency of the appeal and stay application, Tahsildar, Thiruverumbur Taluk, Trichy / R2 is taking steps to vacate the petitioner from the subject location, we issue the following directions.

4. While directing R1 to dispose the appeal filed by the petitioner on 22.05.2024 within eight (8) weeks from today in accordance with law and after hearing the petitioner, status quo shall be maintained for that period. To clarify, there shall be a status quo maintained, of coercive proceedings, for a period of eight (8) weeks from today or till disposal of appeal instituted on 22.05.2024, whichever is earlier.

5. This writ petition is allowed. No costs.

[A.S.M.J.,] & [C.K.J.,] 28.11.2025 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes mbi 3/5

To 1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Tahsildar, Thiruverumbur Taluk, Thiruverumbur, Trichy District.

4/5

Dr.ANITA SUMANTH, J.

AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

mbi Order made in Dated:

28.11.2025 5/5