Subramanian, v. The District Collector,

JUDGMENT (Judgment of the Court was delivered by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) None appears for the appellants.

¶2The present writ appeal assails the order of the learned Single Judge dated 26.11.2025 passed in WP No.45479 of 2025, whereby the writ petition filed by the appellants was dismissed. The relevant portion of the order reads thus: "3. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents submitted that the 1st petitioner served as a Village Administrative Officer in Tambaram Taluk Office and by virtue of the position he acquired earlier, he created a sale deed and encroached the Govenment Pomromboke land and the land was acquired under the Urban Land Ceiling proceedings, which is classified as Arasu Punjai and the classification of patta is Kinaru Nila Uchavarambu Tharisu. It is further stated that the 1st petitioner was terminated from his service and now he filed writ petition for mandamus forbearing the 3rd and 4th respondents from entering to maintenance, repair and other activities carried out in the premises whereas the respondents claimed that the property owned by the Government as Nila Uchavarambu Tharisu and the patta classification is Kinaru Nila Uchavarambu Tharisu. Hence, he would submit that there must be adjudication for title and this Court cannot grant title in favour of the petitioners by granting mandamus, accordingly, he prayed for dismissal of the writ petition.

¶4In response, the learned Senior counsel for the petitioners would submit that the 1st petitioner is employed as Village Administrative Officer earlier and he was terminated from service and challenging the termination order, he file a writ petition and the stage of the said petition is not known. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that mere employed as a VAO is not a bar for possessing and purchasing the property. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate orders.

¶5Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the respondents.

¶6The petitioners claimed that they purchased the property from one Indhu, power of attorney of S.Ramachandran and thereafter, entered into a joint development agreement and obtained necessary permission from the statutory authority thereby, they constructed the apartments. While carrying out the repair and maintenance work in the apartment constructed by the petitioners, the 4th respondent interfered with the same claiming that the property is classified as Nila Uchavarambu Tharisu. Admittedly, the patta is granted in favour of the petitioners in Patta No.31 however, mere possessing of patta will not confer the title and the title has to be established before the competent Civil Court.

¶7In view of the same, the prayer sought for in the writ petition cannot be granted. Hence, this Writ Petition is dismissed however, liberty is granted to the petitioner to approach the civil Court for appropriate remedy. No costs Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed."

¶3The relief sought for by the appellants could be granted only by a competent civil court. The learned Single Judge has rightly refused to entertain the writ petition and granted liberty to the appellants to approach the civil court for appropriate remedy.

¶4In view of the aforesaid, we do not find any error in the order passed by the learned Single Judge. The writ appeal fails and the same is dismissed. There will be no order as to costs. Consequently, CMP No.2386 of 2026 is closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G. ARUL MURUGAN, J.)

27.07.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar To

¶1The District Collector, Chengalpattu District, Chengalpattu.

¶2Revenue Divisional Officer, Tambaram Division, Tambaram, Chennai -600 045.

¶3Tahsildar, Tambaram Taluk, Tambaram, Chennai -600 045.

¶4Village Administrative Officer(VAO) Thiruvancery Village, Tambaram Taluk, Chennai -600 126. THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G. ARUL MURUGAN

, J.

(tar)

27.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G. ARUL MURUGAN 1.Subramanian, Coromandel Park, 543, Velachery Main Road, Tambaram East, Chennai -600 059. 2. Sakthivel, Coromandel Park, 543, Velachery Main Road, Tambaram East, Chennai -600 059. : Appellants Versus 1. The District Collector, Chengalpattu District, Chengalpattu. 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tambaram Division, Tambaram, Chennai -600 045. 3. The Tahsildar, Tambaram Taluk, Tambaram, Chennai -600 045. 4. Village Administrative Officer(VAO) Thiruvancery Village, Tambaram Taluk, Chennai -600 126. : Respondents Prayer: Appeal filed against the order dated 26.11.2025 passed by this Court in W.P.No.45479 of 2025. For Appellants : No appearance For Respondents : Mr.R.Veeramani, Government Pleader