Sujatha v. The District Collector

ORDER This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 2nd respondent herein to conduct an enquiry and cancel the legal heir certificate issued by the 3rd Respondent on 23.03.2025 vide Certificate No. TN -7202503102279 and consequently, to issue a fresh legal heir certificate for the deceased Seenu, including the names of the petitioner as well as her brother.

2.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner's father, Seenu, had two wives -Saraswathi (first wife) and Uma (second wife). Saraswathi had three children namely Vijayalakshmi, Anbu and Sridhar, while Uma had two children namely Sujatha (petitioner) and Sivasankaran. The petitioner's father died on 22.10.1999. After his demise, both families applied for a legal heirship certificate, but it was initially refused. Later, the first wife's son applied again and despite earlier refusals to both sides, the 3rd respondent issued a legal Page2 of 5 heirship certificate on 23.03.2025 recognizing only the first wife and her children. Aggrieved, the petitioner's mother and the petitioner filed separate appeals on 07.02.2026 and 16.03.2026 respectively, seeking cancellation of that certificate and inclusion of their names, but no action was taken. Hence, the writ petition.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the 3rd respondent to consider the petitioner's appeal within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.

4.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the third respondent to consider the petitioner's appeal dated 16.03.2023 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the second wife and the children of the deceased Seenu, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, Page3 of 5

5.With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 20-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Uma To

¶1The District Collector Office of the District Collector, Thirupathur District

¶2The Revenue Divisional officer Revenue Divisional office, Thirupathur District

¶3The Tahsildhar Thirupathru Taluk, Thirupathur District Page4 of 5

M.DHANDAPANI, J. Uma 20-04-2026 Page5 of 5

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Sujatha D/o Late Seenu, Door No 13/55 7the Street, Pudhupettai, Thirupathur Taluk, thriupathur District ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The District Collector Office of the District Collector, Thirupathur District 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Revenue Divisional Office, Thirupathur District 3. The Tahsildhar Thirupathru Taluk, Thirupathur District ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent herein to conduct the enquiry and cancelling the legal heir certificate issued by the 3rd Respondent on 23.03.2025 vide Certificate No. TN -7202503102279 and consequently issue Page1 of 5 the fresh legal heirs certificate for the deceased Seenu including the names of the petitioner as well as her brother. For Petitioner: Mr.R.Ramesh For Respondents Mr.T.M.Rajangam Government Advocate