Sivalingam v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Sivalingam ... Petitioner /Vs./

1. The Commissioner, The Rural and Panchayat Raj Development, 4th and 5th Floor, Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai.

2. The State Election Commissioner, Tamilnadu State Election Commission, No.208/2, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Arumbakkam, Chennai 600106.

3. The District Collector, Thanjavur District,

4. The Block Development Officer, Peravurani Panchayat Union, Avanam, 1/6

5. The Assistant Director (Panchayat), Rural Development Department, 2nd Floor, District Collectorate,

6. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Pattukottai,

7. The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Pattukkotai, ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to restore the petitioner's village original name "Kalathur Kilaku" in all government records including computerized house tax bills, Tamilnadu Rural Development Website, in the place of altered name "Sithukadu Kilaku" and to maintain a separate polling booth for the residents of Adidravidar Kudiyiruppu of Kalathur East Village, Thanjavur District, as was previously in existence and to restore the schedule caste reservation for Panchayat Member post from Kalathur East village to the Kalathur Panchayat based on the petitioner representation dated 24.04.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Prasanna For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilakkumar (R1, R3 to R7) Government Pleader 2/6

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.) The petitioner is aggrieved by the change of his village name from "Kalathur Kilaku" to "Sithukadu Kilaku". He also wants the State to maintain a separate polling booth for all the residents of Adidravidar Kudiyiruppu of Kalathur East Village, and restoration of schedule caste reservation for Panchayat Member post from Kalathur East village to the Kalathur Panchayat.

2. The prayer is wide and varied and the petitioner has made a representation on 24.04.2025 seeking the same relief.

3. Mr.P.Thilakkumar, learned Government Pleader, who accepts notice for the respondents barring R2, states that it would be more appropriate that the representation be considered and disposed.

4. No notice is issued to State Election Commissioner / R2.

5. Let the District Collector, Thanjavur District / R3 consider the representation dated 24.04.2025, after hearing the petitioner and as many residents of Adidravidar Kudiyiruppu of Kalathur East Village, Pattukkottai Taluk, Thanjavur District, as may be feasible, obtain inputs 3/6

in respect of the relief sought and dispose the representation in accordance with law within a period of twelve weeks from today.

6. This writ petition is disposed. No costs. [A.S.M.J.,] & [C.K.J.,] 06.11.2025 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes sm 4/6

TO:-

1. The Commissioner, The Rural and Panchayat Raj Development, 4th and 5th Floor, Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai.

2. The District Collector, Thanjavur District,

3. The Block Development Officer, Peravurani Panchayat Union, Avanam,

4. The Assistant Director (Panchayat), Rural Development Department, 2nd Floor, District Collectorate,

5. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Pattukottai,

6. The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Pattukkotai, 5/6

DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.

AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

sm Order made in Dated:

06.11.2025 6/6