Banumathi v. The Principal Secretary Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :05.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY and W.M.P.(MD) No.24520 of 2025

1. Banumathi

2. Ponnazhagu 3.Sivanyanam.

... Petitioners Vs

1. The Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Commissioner of Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai.

4. The District Collector, Sivagangai District.

5. The Tahsildar, Thirupathur Taluk, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents 1/5

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to dispose the petitioner's representation dated 12.09.2025 and 16.09.2025 regarding regularization/converting the classification the land from Mayanam to Kalam in Survey No.160/1, Vaaniyangadu Group, Thirupathur Taluk, Sivagangai District within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioners : Mr. RM.Arun Swaminathan For Respondents : Mr.K.R.Badurus Zaman Government Advocate

O R D E R

The petitioners state that they owned properties in survey Nos. 160/7A1, 160/7A2 and 160/16 at Themmapattu Village. The adjacent land in survey No.160/1 ad measuring about 31 cents is said to be in the possession of the petitioners and also being used by the public as a public pathway. According to the petitioners, the land has not been used as a burial ground or crematory for a considerable period of time. After submitting a representation seeking reclassification of the said lands as 'Pothupathai', the present Writ Petition has been filed.

2. Learned Government Advocate accepts notice for all the 2/5

respondents. He submits that the people of the village are using the said land as a burial ground. This contention is strongly refuted by learned counsel for the petitioner.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the land may be reclassified as 'Kalam' instead of 'Mayaanam'. He states that the petitioners would submit a fresh representation to that effect.

4. In these circumstances, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:

i. The petitioners are permitted to submit a fresh representation to the District Collector seeking reclassification of land in survey No. 160/1 from 'Mayaanam' to 'Kalam'. Such representation shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

ii. Upon receipt thereof, the District Collector is directed to consider and dispose of such representation on merits within four (4) months from the date of receipt thereof after providing a reasonable opportunity to the petitioners and to the others 3/5

concerned.

iii. No costs. W.M.P.(MD) No.24520 of 2025 is allowed. NCS : Yes/No 05.11.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No apd To

1. The Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Commissioner of Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai.

4. The District Collector, Sivagangai District.

5. The Tahsildar, Thirupathur Taluk, Sivagangai District.

4/5

SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY.,J.

apd ORDER MADE IN 05.11.2025 5/5