L.Leelavathy v. The District Collector

O R D E R This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To call for the records relating to the impugned rejection order 21.12.2025 passed by the 2nd respondent in Application No. TN-720241129253 dated 29.11.2024, quash the same as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the 2nd respondent, namely, the Tahsildar, Ayanavaram Taluk, to issue a Legal Heir Certificate to the petitioner, as her mother Premavathy is a legal heir of late. Narayanasamy, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court."

¶2The case of the petitioner is that she is the grand daughter of late Narayanasamy and the daughter of late Premavathy, and is entitled to seek legal heirship certificate in respect of the said Narayanasamy for lawful and official purposes. The petitioner states that her grandfather, Narayanasamy died on 04.04.1947, leaving behind his only legal heir, namely, his daughter Premavathy. The petitioner would submit that the death certificate of Narayanasamy is available, however, no legal heirship certificate was issued in his name.

¶3The petitioner would submit that the said Premavathy died on

23.11.1995, leaving behind her legal heirs, namely, the petitioner herein (daughter) and one son, Balamurugan, who are alive and legally entitled to represent the estate of the late Narayanasamy

¶4The petitioner submits that the legal heirship certificate relating to her mother, Premavathy has already been issued and the same clearly mentions her parents as Narayanasamy and Lokanayaki. The petitioner would submit that she had made an application through an online portal on 29.11.2024, to the Tahsildar, Ayanavaram Taluk, for issuance of legal heirship certificate, relating to the deceased Narayanasamy.

¶5The petitioner's case is that pursuant to the application, the 2nd respondent issued an enquiry summons dated 05.02.2025, directing the petitioner to appear on 19.02.2025, and the petitioner also participated in the enquiry and submitted all required documents including self-declaration and supporting records. Thereafter, the 2nd respondent issued an official communication dated 25.05.2025, calling upon the petitioner to furnish further documents, which were duly furnished and thereafter, no orders were communicated to the petitioner.

¶6It is the case of the petitioner that, upon checking the online application status, she came to know that her application was rejected. Challenging the said rejection, the petitioner is before this Court.

¶7Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.

¶8The impugned rejection would read as follows: "Deceased death year was 1947. Legal heirs of the deceased also died and the applicant also not residing in Ayanavaram jurisdiction. Hence unable to enquiry. Hence rejected based on the Revenue Inspector report and Head Quarters Deputy Tahsildar report and the documents and self declaration submitted by the applicant."

¶9A perusal of the above would clearly show that the said Narayanasamy died way back in the year 1947 and other legal heirs are also no more. Therefore, they could not make an enquiry. Further, the petitioner is not a resident of Ayanavaram. Therefore, the request of the petitioner was rejected.

¶10In view of the above, the remedy available to the petitioner is elsewhere and not by way of the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

¶11According, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs.

03.02.2026 kan To

1.THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR Chennai District Collector Office Chennai - 600 001

¶2THE TAHSILDAR Ayanavaram Taluk Office Ayanavaram, Chennai - 600 102 P.T. ASHA, J

kan

03.02.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 03.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 2936 of 2026 L. LEELAVATHY ...Petitioner Vs. 1.THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR Chennai District Collector Office Chennai - 600 001 2. THE TAHSILDAR Ayanavaram Taluk Office Ayanavaram, Chennai - 600 102 ...Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned rejection order 21.12.2025 passed by the 2nd respondent in Application No. TN-720241129253 dated 29.11.2024, quash the same as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the 2nd respondent, namely, the Tahsildar, Ayanavaram Taluk, to issue a Legal Heir Certificate to the petitioner, as her mother Premavathy is a legal heir of late. Narayanasamy, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. For petitioner : Mr. S.Ravichandran For Respondents : Mr. R.Neelakandan Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr. Yogesh Kannadasan Special Government Pleader