Sethuramalingam v. The District Revenue Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDER W.P.(MD)No.35734 of 2025 Sethuramalingam ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate Campus, Virudhunagar & District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Aruppukottai, 3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Aruppukottai, 4.Balakrishnan ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first 1/6

respondent to cancel the patta bearing Patta No.670 issued in the name of the fourth respondent by the third respondent during UDR scheme and issue separate patta to the petitioner for 4 1⁄2 cents of his land bearing Survey No.540/3D comprising Survey No.540/3, situated at Adhithanendhal Village, Thiruchuli Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugappan For Respondents 1 to 3 : Mr.P.Subbaraj, Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the first respondent to cancel the patta bearing Patta No.670 issued in the name of the fourth respondent by the third respondent during UDR scheme and issue separate patta to the petitioner for 4 1⁄2 cents of his land bearing Survey No.540/3D comprising Survey No. 540/3, situated at Adhithanendhal Village, Thiruchuli Taluk, 2.With the consent of the parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself. 2/6

3.Since no adverse orders are going to be passed against the fourth respondent, notice to the fourth respondent is hereby dispensed with.

4.According to the petitioner, he has given a representation dated 10.11.2025 to the first respondent seeking cancellation of Patta No.670 issued in the name of the fourth respondent and for issuance of patta in the name of the petitioner, which is still pending before the first respondent without any final decision, despite the long lapse of time. The petitioner contends that the prolonged inaction of the first respondent is arbitrary and has caused undue hardship, necessitating the intervention of this Court. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

4.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents submits that the petitioner's representation will be considered and appropriate orders will be passed accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. 5.Recording the above submissions, this Writ Petition is disposed of, with a direction to the first respondent to consider the 3/6

representation of the petitioner, dated 10.11.2025, on merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after giving due opportunity to the petitioner and the fourth respondent as well as all other persons, who may be interested in the subject matter, within a period of twelve [12] weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is also made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the first respondent to consider the same on its own merits. There shall be no order as to costs. [K.SURENDER, J.] 15.12.2025 MR Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No 4/6

To 1.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate Campus, Virudhunagar & District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Aruppukottai, 3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Aruppukottai, 5/6

K.SURENDER, J.

MR W.P.(MD)No.35734 of 2025 15.12.2025 6/6