P.Arulrajan v. The District Collector

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent herein to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 21.02.2026.

¶2The petitioner claims to be the absolute owner of lands measuring 0.92 cents in Survey No.369/2A1, situated at Nedunkundram Village, Chengalpattu District. One Devaraj purchased an adjacent plot and subsequently sold it to Annai Velankanni Educational Trust under Document No.575/2011. The petitioner alleges that, while registering the sale deed, the extent was wrongly stated as 14086 sq.ft. instead of 1,868 sq.ft., resulting in the inclusion/encroachment of a portion of his patta land. The petitioner, therefore, applied to the second respondent for survey and measurement of his land and also submitted reminders and representations to the authorities. As no action was taken, he pursued the matter under the RTI Act and thereafter filed a first appeal. Though the RDO directed the second respondent to take necessary Page2 of 6 action, the petitioner's land has not yet been measured. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider and act upon the petitioner's representation dated 21.02.2026.

¶3Mr. B. Karthikeyan, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the representation of the petitioner dated

21.02.2026 will be considered by the 2nd respondent, who is the authority competent, and appropriate orders will be passed thereon within a period of four weeks.

¶4Considering the fact that, though the petitioner submitted a representation dated 21.02.2026, followed by continuous reminders and an appeal under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the same have not been acted upon till date, this Court is of the view that the authority concerned has adopted a dilatory approach, which warrants the interference of this Court

¶5Accordingly, the 2nd respondent/Tahsildar, Vandalur Taluk, is directed to conduct a survey of the petitioner's land comprised in Survey No.369/2A1, situated at Nedunkundram Village, Chengalpattu District and demarcate the subject property by taking necessary photographs and videography, after Page3 of 6 issuing due notice to the petitioner, the adjacent landowners and other interested parties, if any.

¶6The above exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from today. If the petitioner desires the survey to be conducted by employing Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) equipment, the same shall also be provided, subject to the petitioner bearing the entire cost of conducting the DGPS survey.

¶7It is made clear that in the event that any disturbance arises, the surveying authority is empowered to seek the assistance of the jurisdictional Police, and the jurisdictional Police are mandated to provide necessary police protection. In the event that the subject land under survey is in the possession of either the petitioner or any other concerned party, the recovery of possession can only be effected through the due process of law before the competent Civil Court; under no circumstances shall the respondents engage in taking over possession after completing the survey to hand it over to any party. Such exercise shall be carried out exclusively through the competent Civil Court. Page4 of 6

¶8With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

¶9Post this matter "for reporting compliance" on 17.09.2026. 13-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Asi To

¶1The District Collector, Chengalpattu District, District Collectorate, District Collector Office, Chengalpattu – 603001.

¶2The Tahsildar Vandalur Taluk, Vandalur, Chengalpattu District. Page5 of 6 WPoNo.o31890oofo2026 KRISHNANoRAMASAMY,oJ. Asi WPoNo.o31890oofo2026 13-08-2026 Page6oofo6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY P.Arulrajan S/o.Pooviludaiyar, Door no.15, Sankar Street, Bharathipuram, Chromepet, Chennai - 600044. ..Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector Chengalpattu District, District Collectorate, District Collector Office, Chengalpattu - 603001. 2. The Tahsildar Vandalur Taluk, Vandalur, Chengalpattu District. ..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 herein to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 21.02.2026 to measure his lands situated at Nedunkundram Village, Chengalpattu District. Page1 of 6 For Petitioner(s): Mr. R.Sivakumar For Respondent(s): Ms.B.Karthikeyan Additional Government Pleader