Lakshmi v. The District Revenue Officer

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to dispose of the appeal dated

05.06.2023, within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

¶2The case of the petitioners is that they claim to be the lawful owner of the subject property. Originally, the property belonged to Bhoja Jogee, who settled the same in favour of his wife, Kaliammal. Thereafter, Kaliammal executed a settlement Deed in favour of her daughters, Lakshmi and Sundari, pursuant to which patta was issued in the year 1995. Page3 of 7

¶3Subsequently, certain rival claimants instituted O.S.No.28 of 2016 seeking partition. The said suit was dismissed by judgment and decree dated

18.03.2019, thereby affirming the petitioner's title. However, despite the Tahsildar's report pointing out fraudulent inclusion of Deviyammal's name in the revenue records, the second respondent, by proceedings dated 25.05.2023 declined to rectify the revenue records and directed the petitioner to await the outcome of another pending civil suit.

¶4Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the first respondent on 05.06.2023 and thereafter submitting a representation dated

14.11.2024, which is still pending. Hence, the present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's appeal on merits and in accordance with law, and to remove the alleged fraudulent entries from the revenue records.

¶5Mr.B.Pachaiyappan, learned Government Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that the appeal preferred by the petitioner dated

05.06.2023 would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed thereon, on merits and in accordance with law. Page4 of 7

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made on either side, this Court, without going into the merits of the matter, directs the 1st respondent/District Revenue Officer, to consider the petitioner's representation dated 14.11.2024 seeking to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioners dated 05.06.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law after issuing notice to the petitioners and parties interested, if any, and affording them an opportunity of personal hearing, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 17-07-2026 Asi Page5 of 7 To

¶1The District Revenue Officer Ooty, Nilgiris District - 643004

¶2The Revenue Divisional Officer, Ooty, Nilgiris District -643004

¶3The Tahsildar, Uthagai Taluk, Nilgiris District. Page6 of 7 WPoNo.o16451oofo2025 KRISHNANoRAMASAMY,oJ. Asi WPoNo.o16451oofo2025 17-07-2026 Page7oofo7

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY 1. Lakshmi D/o, Bhojajoghee Residing At 10/36, Nanjanad Village, Ooty, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris District - 643004 2. Sundhari D/o, Bhojajoghee Residing At 10/36, Nanjanad Village, Ooty, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris District - 643004 3. Sivan, S/o, Ramalingamgowder, Residing At 10/36, Nanjanad Village, Ooty, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris District - 643004 ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The District Revenue Officer Ooty, Nilgiris District - 643004 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Ooty, Nilgiris District -643004 3. The Tahsildar, Page1 of 7 Uthagai Taluk, Nilgiris District. 4. Deviyammal, Nanjanadu-1 Village, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District. 5. Rani, D.No. 2/180, Anikorai Village, Udhagamandalam. The Nilgiris District. 6. Parvathi, D.No. 2/180, Anikorai Village, Udhagamandalam. The Nilgiris District. 7. Desingh, Nanjanad-1 Village, Udhagamandalam. The Nilgiris District. 8. Sarathamani, D.No. 5/93.Kil Kavvatty Village, Kilkavvatty Post, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District. 9. Devaraj, Nanjanad-1 Village, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District. 10.R.Balakrishnan, D.No. 2/367, Ithalar Village, Ithalar Post, Kundah Taluk. Page2 of 7 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent (District Revenue Officer), Udhagaimandalam to dispose of the appeal dated 05.06.2023 on merits without reference to the pending civil suit within the time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner(s): Ms.R.Ishwarya For Respondent(s): Mr.B.Pachaiyappan Government Counsel for R1 to R3