N.K.Pandiyaraman v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

ORDER Ms.Sudarkodi Natchiyar, learned counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu, takes notice for the respondents.

2.By consent, this writ petition is disposed of at the time of admission after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondents.

3.This writ petition has been filed for a Mandamus to direct the first respondent to furnish the copy of the document referred to in the notice bearing Na.Ka.No.4638/2025/A2, dated 08.06.2026, by considering the petitioner's representation, dated 27.06.2026.

4.This is the third round of litigation before this Court. Earlier, the petitioner had challenged the proceedings of the second respondent herein bearing Na.Ka.No.2933/2025/A5 dated 22.08.2025 in W.P.(MD) No.23884 of 2025. After taking note of the facts and circumstances of the case, the Court ordered as under:- "4.The respondent proposes to hold such an inspection in the presence of the petitioner on 12.09.2025 from 11.00 am onwards. The petitioner will not be given any independent intimation or notice. The respondent or any other authorized official who conducts inspection will have to prepare contemporaneous notes. The entire inspection shall also be duly videographed at the cost of the petitioner. The petitioner shall retain one copy of the video recording and another copy shall be retained by the respondent. Based on the inspection notes, the respondent shall issue fresh notice to the petitioner. If the respondent is satisfied with the outcome of the inspection, it is even open to him to drop further proceedings. If the respondent issues any notice, the petitioner shall reply within a period of ten days from the date of receipt of notice. After holding summery enquiry, final order shall be passed by the respondent. If the respondent passes any adverse order, it will not be enforced immediately. The petitioner will be given a breathing time of three weeks therefrom to obtain relief either from the appellate authority or from the Court. It is made clear that the merits of the matter have not been gone into. These directions are issued only to ensure fairness in action."

5.Pursuant to the aforesaid order of this Court, an order was also passed on 29.09.2025 by the second respondent bearing Na.Ka.No. 2933/2025/A6, dated 22.09.2025, which was the subject matter of challenge before this Court in W.P.(MD) No.27812 of 2025. By an order dated

08.10.2025, this Court has passed the following order:- "5.However, one aspect has been taken note of. In the earlier order, I had specifically directed that after the respondent issues show cause notice, the petitioner shall be given 10 days time to reply. The Tahsildar, Manamelkudi Taluk has granted only 5 days time to respond. Therefore, the show cause notice is not in consonance with the directions given by this Court on the earlier occasion. On this sole ground, the impugned order has to be quashed.

6.The petitioner has been running the unit for the past 30 years. Granting 5 days time to respond appears to be grossly unreasonable. In any event, after receiving show cause notice on 22.09.2025, the petitioner submitted a reply by registered post on 27.09.2025. However, the final order has been passed on 29.09.2025 without reference to the same. Therefore, the show cause notice as well as the final order passed on 29.09.2025 are quashed. The third respondent appears to have predetermined the issue. It may not be safe for the petitioner to once again go before the third respondent.

7.The third respondent is directed to place all the relevant materials gathered by him before the second respondent. It is open to the second respondent to issue notice to the writ petitioner and take action as per law."

6.Pursuant to the same, the first respondent has issued a show cause notice dated 01.07.2026, to the petitioner to show cause as to why proceedings under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, should not be initiated against the petitioner. The said notice called upon the petitioner to give a reply and appear for a personal hearing on

22.06.2026 at 3:00 pm., The petitioner filed a reply belatedly on 27.06.2026, requesting to furnish copy of the report of the joint inspection, dated

20.12.2025 along with other relevant documents, which has not been furnished.

7.On the other hand, the learned counsel for the respondents would submit that the case was listed for enquiry today (15.07.2026). However, the petitioner has not appeared.

8.Having considered the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondents, I am of the view that the ends of justice can be worked out, if the petitioner is given a copy of the joint inspection report dated 20.12.2025, within a period of one week from today, by the respondents. The first respondent shall thereafter fix a date for personal hearing and shall thereafter pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. Needless to state, orders shall be passed after hearing the petitioner.

9.The Writ Petition stands disposed of, accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. Index :

15.07.2026 Internet : mm To

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer Aranthangi Taluk Pudukkottai District

2.The Tahsildar Manamelkudi Taluk Pudukkottai District

C.SARAVANAN, J.

mm

15.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.14652, 14655 and 14659 of 2026 N.K.Pandiyaraman ... Petitioner /vs./ 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer Aranthangi Taluk Pudukkottai District 2.The Tahsildar Manamelkudi Taluk Pudukkottai District ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to furnish the copy of the document referred in the notice in Na.Ka.4638/2025/A2 dated 08.06.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 27.06.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Paranjothi For Respondents : Ms.Sudarkodi Natchiyar counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu