S.Palaniappan v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 herein to rectify the mistake in Patta No.553 by correcting the owner's name, which has been entered as "Swamy Devalayam, S/o. Subramani", instead of the petitioner's name, namely, "Palaniappan, S/o. Sivasubramanian", in respect of the land situated in Survey No.1622, measuring an extent of 1.33.00 hectares, at Vadaveeranaickenpatti Village, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni District, based upon the petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2025, within a stipulated time.

¶2The case of the petitioner is that the property comprised in Survey No.1622, measuring an extent of 1.33.00 hectares, originally belonged to his grandfather, namely, Machendran Chettiar. After his demise, the property devolved upon the petitioner's father under a settlement deed dated 27.01.1939. Subsequently, the petitioner's father executed a settlement deed, wherein the petitioner was appointed as the trustee and was authorised to utilise the income derived from the property for performing the temple rituals and other religious activities. Thereafter, the petitioner's father passed away, and the petitioner's mother also died in the year 2010. The petitioner is now claiming the right to administer the property in his capacity as the trustee.

¶3However, in Patta No.553, the owner's name has been entered as "Swamy Devalayam, S/o. Subramani" instead of the name of the petitioner's father, namely, Sivasubramanian, and according to the petitioner, the said entry is erroneous. The petitioner's name is S. Palaniappan, and his father's name is Sivasubramanian. It is the specific case of the petitioner that there is no person by the name of "Swamy Devalayam". Therefore, the petitioner seeks rectification of the said entry. It is seen from the settlement deed that the petitioner is claiming the right only as the trustee of the said temple, namely, Subramanian Swamy Temple. Therefore, according to the petitioner, the respondents ought to correct the entry relating to the trustee in the revenue records.

¶4The learned counsel for State appearing for the respondents submitted that, as per the entries in the "A" Register, Survey No.1622 stands in the name of "Arulmigu Subramanian Swamy Devalayam". It is further submitted that the revenue records describe the owner as "Swamy Devalayam, S/o. Subramani" and, therefore, the petitioner's personal name cannot be entered in the patta.

¶5However, it is seen that the petitioner is only seeking to have his name recorded as the trustee of the temple in the revenue records and is not claiming the property in his individual capacity. It is also evident from the settlement deed that the petitioner has no right to alienate or encumber the property.

¶6In view of the above, the respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's representation, dated 26.03.2025 in the light of the aforesaid facts and the relevant records and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other necessary parties, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

29.06.2026 TRP Index : yes / no Internet : yes / no TO

¶1The Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam, Theni District.

¶2The Tahsildar,, Periyakulam, Theni District. S.SRIMATHY,J TRP ORDER IN WP(MD) No.18140 of 2026 Date : 29/06/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 29/06/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S.Palaniappan ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam, Theni District. 2. The Tahsildar,, Periyakulam, Theni District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus direct the respondents 1 and 2 herein to rectify the mistake in Patta No.553 regarding the owners name as Palaniappan, S/o.Subramanian instead of Swamy Devalayam, S/o.Subramani for the land situated in Survey No. 1622 to an extent of 1.33.00 Hectares at Vadaveeranaickenpatti Village, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni District based upon the petitioners representation dated 26.03.2025 within a stipulated time. For Petitioner : Mr. C.Jeya Prakash Advocate For Respondent No.1 : Mr.K.Saravanan Counsel for State