Fathima Mary v. The District Collector

ORDER The Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the 2nd respondent to cancel the House Tax Assessment No.647 for Door No.8/27, standing in the name of the 3rd respondent, and House Tax Assessment No.649 for Door No. 8/28-1, in the name of the 4th respondent of Karasisuthupudur Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 24.04.2026.

¶2The private respondents 3 and 4 have been served. However, there is no representation on their behalf.

¶3The case of the petitioner appears to be that the subject property was purchased by the petitioner's paternal grandfather on 26.02.1945 and after the petitioner's paternal grandfather died, the petitioner's father, namely Duraipandi Nadar, became the owner/assessee of the property. It is submitted that the petitioner and her elder sister, namely Antony Pushpam, were married to Arulanandam and that the said Arulanandam was discharging the tax liability and therefore, his name appears in the register of owners. It is submitted that the petitioner's husband, late Arulanandam, died on 08.11.2018 but had surreptitiously executed a will on 01.08.2017, bequeathing the property in favour of the 3rd and 4th respondents, who are the children of the said Arulanandam through the petitioner's elder sister, namely Antony Pushpam.

¶4The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has also filed a suit before the District Munsif Court, Radhapuram, Tirunelveli in O.S.No.65 of 2022.

¶5Since there is no representation on behalf of the respondents, I am inclined to order this Writ Petition by directing the respondents to cancel the House Tax assessment standing in the name of the private respondents, subject to the decision to be arrived at by the Trial Court in O.S.No.65 of 2022.

¶6Considering the same, the assessment is directed to be restored in the name of the petitioner's father, namely Duraipandi Nadar in the House Tax Assessment. The petitioner and also the private respondents shall jointly discharge the property tax liability.

¶7This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above directions. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs.

29.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu To

1.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.

2.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Radhapuram Union Office, Radhapuram, Tirunelveli District.

C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu W.P(MD).No.14504 of 2026

29.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD) No.14504 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD) No.10892 of 2026 Fathima Mary ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. 2.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Radhapuram Union Office, Radhapuram, Tirunelveli District. 3.Antony Sekar 4.M.Subha Alias Subha Lourdhu ...Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to cancel the House Tax Assessment No.647 for the Door No.8/27, standing in the name of the 3rd respondent and House Tax Assessment No.649, for the Door No. 8/28-1 in the name of the 4th respondent of Karasisuthupudur Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 24.04.2026 within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.Baskaran.V For Respondent : Mr.R.Parthiban Counsel for State of TN for R1 and R2