S.Muthaiah, v. The Secretary to the Government

O R D E R This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to issue an Assignment Patta in respect of 2 acres of land comprised in Survey No.168, situated at Kurichikulam, Manur Taluk, Tirunelveli District, in the light of the the file of the fourth respondent and the order passed by the Tamil Nadu State Commission for SC/ST dated 07.07.2025, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 15.12.2025, within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

¶2With the consent of the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself. Page No. 2 of 6

¶3The grievance of the petitioner is that though the petitioner belongs to the Scheduled Caste community and along with his family, has been in continuous possession and enjoyment of the subject property by constructing a small dwelling house and cultivating paddy and chilli, the Assignment Patta has not been granted, even though there are the file of the fourth respondent and an order passed by the Tamil Nadu State Commission for SC/ST dated 07.07.2025 confirming his continuous possession. The petitioner has been submitting several representations, the latest being dated 15.12.2025. However, his request has not been considered. Therefore, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

¶4The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 15.12.2025 would be considered and after conducting enquiry, appropriate orders would be passed by the third respondent within a period of sixteen weeks. Page No. 3 of 6

¶5Recording the above submission and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.12.2025, conduct enquiry and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The third respondent is also directed to provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties who may be affected by such decision, before passing any order. There shall be no order as to costs. [K.SURENDER, J.]

18.02.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No To

1.The Secretary, Department of Revenue, St.George Fort, Secretariat, Chennai – 09.

2.The Additional Chief Secretary/ Commissioner of Land Administration (CLA), Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai – 09. Page No. 4 of 6

3.The District Collector, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.

4.The Tahsildar, Manur Taluk, Tirunelveli District. Page No. 5 of 6 K.SURENDER

, J.

JEN

18.02.2026 Page No. 6 of 6

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER S.Muthaiah ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Secretary to the Government, Department of Revenue, St.George Fort, Secretariat, Chennai – 09. 2.The Additional Chief Secretary/ Commissioner of Land Administration (CLA), Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai – 09. 3.The District Collector, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District. 4.The Tahsildar, Manur Taluk, Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to issue Assignment Patta measuring 2 Acre land in Survey No.168 situated at Kurichikulam, Manur Talum, Tirunelveli District in light of the the file of the fourth respondent and order passed by the Tamil Nadu State Page No. 1 of 6 Commission for SC/ST dated 07.07.2025 by considering the representation dated 15.12.2025 within the time frame stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.I.Pinaygash For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramanathan Additional Government Pleader ****