Sornagandhi v. The Principal Secretary

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the fourth respondent to issue patta in favour of the petitioner in respect of an extent of 1 Acre and 24 Cents in S.F.No.293, Poongudi Village, Avudaiyarkovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District, in consonance with the temporary assignment made in RC.No.1919/76, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2025.

¶2By consent, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that a temporary assignment was issued as early as in the year 1976 and that the petitioner has been in possession of the subject property till date.

¶4The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents, on instructions from the fourth respondent/Tahsildar, would submit that the land in question is now classified as a waterbody.

¶5The fact remains that it is not in dispute that the petitioner has been in possession of the property since 1976. However, the reclassification of the said land was evidently not intimated to the petitioner. Keeping in view the fact that the petitioner has made a representation dated 18.11.2025 seeking issuance of patta, the same is required to be considered by the fourth respondent.

¶6Accordingly, the fourth respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2025 on its own merits and in accordance with law, and to pass appropriate orders after affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other persons who may be affected by such decision, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7The Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above direction. There shall be no order as to costs. NCC : Yes / No (K.SURENDER, J.) Index : Yes / No

21.01.2026 smn2 (5/8) To:-

1.The Principal Secretary, (Revenue and Disaster Management), Secretariat, Saint George Fort, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner (Land Administration), Chepauk, Chennai.

3.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Avudaiyarkovil Taluk, Avudiyarkovil Taluk Office, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District. K.SURENDER

, J.

smn2

21.01.2026 (5/8)

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 21.01.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER Sornagandhi ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Principal Secretary, (Revenue and Disaster Management), Secretariat, Saint George Fort, Chennai. 2.The Commissioner (Land Administration), Chepauk, Chennai. 3.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District. 4.The Tahsildar, Avudaiyarkovil Taluk, Avudiyarkovil Taluk Office, Pudukkottai District. 5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the fourth respondent to issue Patta in favour of the petitioner for an extent of 1 Acre 24 Cents in S.F.No.293 of Poongudi Village, Avudaiyarkovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District in consonance with the temporary assignment in RC.1919/76 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Paranjothi for M/s.KBS Law Office For Respondents : Mr.N.Ramesh Arumugam Government Advocate