Panchavarnam v. The District Registrar

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.35354 of 2025 Panchavarnam ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Registrar, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

2. The Sub-Registrar, Office of Sub-Registrar-II, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

3. Saravanan ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 and 2 to not to register further alienation till the disposal of appeal filed by the petitioner which is pending before the District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai in Na.Ka.G.L.R/8002/2024 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2025.

For Petitioner : Ms. C.Geetha For R-1 & R-2 : Mr. K.S.Selva Ganesan, Additional Government Pleader 1/6

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondent Nos.1 and 2 not to register any further alienation in respect of the subject property till the disposal of the appeal filed by the petitioner, which is pending before the District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai, in Na.Ka.G.L.R/8002/2024, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2025.

2. Mr. K.S.Selva Ganesan, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for respondent Nos.1 and 2. Since no adverse orders are going to be passed against the third respondent, notice to the third respondent is dispensed with.

3. The case of the petitioner is that the subject property is a punja land measuring an extent of 12 acres and 58 cents. The said property originally belonged to one Mayyappa Chettiyar, who held vast extents of land. After the enactment of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, the competent revenue authorities initiated proceedings to identify and acquire the surplus lands owned by him. 2/6

After due statutory notice, the said property was declared as excess land and taken over by the Government. In accordance with the policy of the Government, the excess lands were subsequently earmarked for assignment to landless agricultural families. 3.(i). The vendor's vendor of the petitioner, based on a valid assignment, entered into peaceful and continuous possession of the property. Thereafter, the petitioner purchased the assigned land from his vendor through valid registered sale deeds in Document Nos.2535 and 6442 of 2013. Since the date of purchase, the petitioner has been in possession and enjoyment of the said land.

3.(ii). At this juncture, the Assistant Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Land Reforms and Land Administration, Madurai, cancelled the assignment. The petitioner, therefore, approached this Court by filing a writ petition in W.P.(MD).No.8325 of 2020, and the same was disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to file an appeal before the District Revenue Officer. Accordingly, the petitioner filed an appeal in Na.Ka.G.L.R/8002/2024 before the District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai, which is still pending.

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3.(iii). During the pendency of the appeal, the legal heirs of the said Mayyappa Chettiyar attempted to alienate the property. Hence, the petitioner made a representation to respondent Nos.1 and 2 requesting them not to register any further alienation till the disposal of the appeal. However, no action was taken by the said respondents. Hence, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the earlier writ petition filed by the petitioner only resulted in liberty being granted to approach the concerned authority by way of appeal, and the proceedings of the Assistant Commissioner was not quashed by this Court.

5. Considering the submissions made on either side, it appears that the petitioner's apprehension is that, taking advantage of the cancellation order dated 23.05.2011, the third respondent may alienate the property. However, at present, no alienation has taken place. Since the validity of the cancellation order is the subject matter of the pending appeal, this Court is not inclined to go into the merits of the issue at this stage. 4/6

6. Accordingly, the District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai, is directed to dispose of the petitioner's appeal in Na.Ka.G.L.R/8002/2024 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

10.12.2025 Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No TSG To

1. The District Registrar, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

2. The Sub-Registrar, Office of Sub-Registrar-II, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

3. The District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai.

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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

TSG W.P.(MD)No.35354 of 2025 10.12.2025 6/6