J.Chandra v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

Order This Writ Petition has been filed to direct respondents 1 and 2 to consider the written representation dated 06.04.2024 submitted by the petitioner, and consequently allot 2 acres of alternative agricultural land in Enthal Village, Kilnathur, Thiruvannamalai, to the petitioner and her family members.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner's father-in-law, Chinnappan, served in the Indian Army. In recognition of the services rendered by her father-in-law, the then District Collector of Vellore had orally allotted 2 acres of agricultural land in S.F. No. 27/3B2, Enthal Village, Kilnathur, in the year 1950. At that time, there was no pond situated on the said land, and the petitioner's family has been cultivating it since 1950. One Soundarrajan, an adjacent landowner, had filed W.P. No. 26426 of 2019 seeking initiation of action against encroachers and unauthorized cultivators on the government land, wherein this Court, vide order dated 20.02.2023, directed the authorities to consider the claim made therein and conduct an inspection. Since the petitioner has been cultivating agricultural crops on the land for more than three decades, she initially made a representation on 06.08.2024 before the 1st respondent to issue a patta in favour of her family or to allot alternative land. As her series of representations yielded no response, the petitioner has approached this Court. Page3 of 5

¶3In reply, the learned Government Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that the Indian Army ought to be impleaded as a necessary party to this writ petition.

¶4Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Counsel for the respondents, and also perused the materials available on record.

¶5This Court is of the view that since the petitioner is applying for the allotment of alternative land, which is entirely under the control of the Revenue Department, the authorities must verify if there are any specific rules and regulations framed for the allotment of land to ex-servicemen. If they are eligible under such rules, they are certainly entitled to the same. Therefore, it is for the official respondents 1 and 2 to pass appropriate orders on the representation of the petitioner.

¶6In view of the above, this Court directs respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.04.2024 on its own merits and dispose of the same in accordance with law within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after issuing notice to the petitioner and conducting an enquiry. In the event that the petitioner is found eligible as per Page4 of 5 the welfare schemes available with the State Government for the allotment of revenue land, appropriate orders for allotment may be passed by the authorities controlling such land.

¶7With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 20-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SK To

¶1The Revenue Divisional Officer Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalali District.

¶2The Tahsildar Thiruvanamalai, Thiruanamalai District

¶3The Assistant Director Ex Servicemen Welfare Office, Collector Office Vengikkal, Thiruvanamalai, Thiruvanamalai District WPoNo.o16415oofo2025 KRISHNANoRAMASAMYoJ. sk WPoNo.o16415oofo2025 20-07-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.Chandra W/o.Subramnaian 213/51 E New Karakana Street, Main Road, Thiruvannamalai 606 601. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalali District 2. The Tahsildar Thiruvanamalai, Thiruanamalai District 3. The Assistant Director Ex Servicemen Welfare Office, Collector Office Vengikkal, Thiruvanamalai, Thiruvanamalai District ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to allot 2 Acres of alternative agricultural land in Enthal Village, Kilnathur, Thiruvannamalai to the petitioner and her family members by disposing the written representation made by the petitioner on 06.08.2024 and pass. For Petitioner(s): Ms.R.Hemalatha For Respondent(s): Mr.C.Prabakaran, Government Counsel for R1 and R2 Page2 of 5