G.Ranganathan v. District Collector

ORDER This writ petition has been filed, seeking to forbear the respondents 1 and 2 from any manner converting the properties morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition from "Agricultural Lands" to "Non Agricultural Purposes".

¶2The petitioner is a villager, who is residing in the very same area, where the subject lands are situated. According to the petitioner, the lands were assigned in favour of the private respondents viz., the respondents 8 and 9 for agricultural purposes. According to the petitioner, the respondents 8 and 9 are now attempting to convert the lands into house sites in violation of the terms and conditions of the assignment. The petitioner seeks to forbear the respondents 1 and 2 from converting the subject lands from "Agricultural Lands" to "Non Agricultural Purposes". The petitioner had given a representation on 29.11.2025 to the official respondents, requesting them not to change the classification of the lands from "Agricultural Lands" to "Non Agricultural Purposes". Since the said representation has not been considered till date, this writ petition has been filed.

¶3Mr. D.Ravichander, learned Special Government Pleader accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 1, 2 and 4 and Mr. U. Baranidharan, learned Special Government Pleader accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 5 to 7. Since no adverse orders are passed against the respondents 8 and 9, notice to the respondents 8 and 9 is dispensed with by this Court.

¶4No prejudice would be caused to the respondents if the petitioner's representation as stated supra is considered on merits and in accordance with law after hearing the objections of the respondents 8 and 9 as well as any other third party whom the first respondent deems it fit to enquire within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶5This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's representation.

¶6For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the first respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's representation dated 29.11.2025, seeking to forbear the respondents 1 and 2 from converting the lands from "Agricultural Lands" to "Non Agricultural Purposes" for the properties morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order after hearing the objections of the respondents 8 and 9 as well as any other third party whom the first respondent deems it fit to enquire and after giving due consideration to the supporting documents filed by the petitioner.

¶7Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No Costs. 12-03-2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ab To

1.District Collector Vellore District Sathuvachari Vellore-9

2.Tahsildar Katpadi taluk Gudiyatham Road

3.Chairman (TNRERA) Tamilnadu Real Estate Regulatory authority No.1A-1st floor Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road Egmore chennai-600 008

4.Joint Director(FAC) DTCP office, 2nd floor Ex servicemen welfare office building Fort Round Road, Vellore-632 001

5.Inspector General of Registration (IG) No.100, Santhome High Road Chennai-600 028

6.District Registrar (Administration) District Registrar office Veppamarath street Velapadi Vellore-2

7.Sub Registrar Sub Registrar office Guidyatham Road ABDUL QUDDHOSE J. ab

12-03-2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12-03-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE 1. G.Ranganathan S/o.Gopal, Secretary of serkadu village farmers welfare Association Serkadu village Katpadi taluk Vellore District Petitioner(s) Vs 1. District Collector Vellore District Sathuvachari Vellore-9 2.Tahsildar Katpadi taluk Gudiyatham Road 3.Chairman (TNRERA) Tamilnadu Real Estate Regulatory authority No.1A-1st floor Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road Egmore chennai-600 008 4.Joint Director(FAC) DTCP office, 2nd floor Ex servicemen welfare office building Fort Round Road, Vellore-632 001 5.Inspector General of Registration (IG) No.100, Santhome High Road Chennai-600 028 6.District Registrar (Administration) District Registrar office Veppamarath street Velapadi Vellore-2 7.Sub Registrar Sub Registrar office Guidyatham Road 8.Jayalakshmi 9.Dhanalaskhmi Respondent(s) PRAYER to forbear the respondent 1 and 2 from in any manner converting the agricultural land for any non-agricultural purpose in an extent of 1.21.0 ares of land situated in surveyNo.74, 1.99.5 ares of land in survey No.74/1B and an extent of 0.66.0 ares of land in survey No.74/2A and an extent of 00.4.5 ares of land in survey No.74/2Cand an extent of 0.55.0ares of land in survey No.74/3B as housing plots and not to grant any permission for construction of buildings and not to register any documents like sale deed, etc For Petitioner(s): M/s.G.Selvi George For Respondent(s): Mr.D.Ravichander,SGP For R1 , R2 ,R4 Mr.U.Baranidharan,SPG For R5 and R6 ND/W -R3