R.P. Murugan v. The District Collector

ORDER (Judgment of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The prayer in this writ petition is to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents from converting Survey No.87 to an extent of

56.93 Acres situated at Muthammalpuram Village, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, into the forest land, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.02.2026 along with the resolution of the Grama Sabha Meeting dated 11.10.2025.

¶2It is the grievance of the petitioner that he is the President of Seevalapuram Karadiudaippu Village Panchayat and the subject land is classified as grazing land, whereas, the 5th respondent suddenly restrained the villagers from using the said land for grazing the cattle and also trying to survey the land. Therefore, he seeks the abovesaid relief.

¶3Learned Special Government Pleader, on instructions, would submit that the land in question is shown as forest land in SLR (Settlement Land Register) 1961. He would further submit that there is a proposal to make the subject land as reserved forest and notification will be issued under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882. He would also submit that the petitioner is one of the encroachers of the subject land.

¶4When such being the position, the petitioner as a matter of right, cannot question the action of the respondents by way of writ petition. This type of writ petition, in our view, is nothing but a clear abuse of process of law.

¶5In that view of the matter, let the Forest Settlement Officer enquire into the matter and proceed as per the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882.

¶6The Writ Petition is dismissed with the above observations. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.]

27.04.2026 Index : Yes / No : Yes / No bala To

¶1The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

¶2The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi,

¶3The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.

¶4The Tahsildar, Veerakeralampudur Taluk,

¶5The District Forest Officer, Kalangarai, Sengottai, oN.SATHISHoKUMARoo,oJo. AND M.JOTHIRAMAN,oJ. bala ORDERoMADEoIN W.P(MD)No.12697oofo2026 oDATEDo:oo27.04.2026o

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 27.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and WMP(MD)No.9558 of 2026 R.P.Murugan S/o.Paulraj, President, Seevalapuram Karadiudaippu Village Panchayat, Muthammalpuram, Alangulam Taluk, ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi. 2. The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi, 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 4. The Tahsildar, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, 5. The District Forest Officer, Kalangarai, Sengottai, ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents from converting Survey No.87 in extent of 56.93 Acres situated at Muthammalpuram Village,Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, into the forest land by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.02.2026 along with resolution of the Grama Sabha Meeting dated 11.10.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Athimoolapandian For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan Special Government Pleader