Mohideen Andavar Pallivasal v. The Assistant Director of Town and Country Planning

O R D E R This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26.06.2026 and to permit the petitioner to submit manual application for building plan approval for construction of a mosque building with towers in in Town Survey No. 73, Old Survey No. 19/7, Velipattinam Village, Ramanathapuram Taluk and District and further direct the respondents to consider the same in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 within a time frame.

¶2Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

¶3By consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, Mohideen Andavar Pallivasal, Velipattinam, is a notified Wakf under the Wakf Act, 1954 and that the mosque has been in existence for more than 170 years. It is submitted that the existing mosque building was constructed in the year 1972 and, as the management decided to demolish the existing four towers and reconstruct the same, necessary approval was sought from the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board. The Tamil Nadu Wakf Board, by proceedings dated 12.05.2021, granted approval for demolition of the existing four towers and their reconstruction. Thereafter, the second respondent, by proceedings dated

27.09.2023, also granted permission for demolition of the said four towers. The learned counsel further submitted that, pursuant thereto, the petitioner submitted an online application through the Tamil Nadu Statewide Single Window Portal seeking planning permission for reconstruction of the mosque along with the four towers. The application was initially submitted on 21.10.2024 and was subsequently re-submitted on 28.07.2025 and 26.06.2026. However, the applications were returned on the ground that they did not satisfy the requisite requirements.

¶5It is the grievance of the petitioner that, in view of the repeated return of the online applications, the petitioner submitted a detailed representation dated 26.06.2026 requesting the respondents to permit submission of a manual application for approval of the building plan for reconstruction of the mosque together with its four towers. According to the learned counsel, though the said representation has been received by the respondents, no orders have been passed thereon till date. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

¶6The learned counsel further submitted that it would suffice if this Court issues a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.06.2026 and pass appropriate orders thereon within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶7Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26.06.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law. Such exercise shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

29.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes PKN To

¶1The Assistant Director of Town and Country Planning, Ninth Cross Street, Nehru Nagar, Chakkarakkottai, Ramanathapuram.

¶2The Commissioner, Ramanathapuram Municipality, Ramanathapuram. M.DHANDAPANI

,J.

PKN DATED : 29.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Mohideen Andavar Pallivasal Rep. by its Managing Trustee Haji.I.Asarab Ali ... Petitioner(s) vs. 1. The Assistant Director of Town and Country Planning, Ninth Cross Street, Nehru Nagar, Chakkarakkottai, Ramanathapuram. 2. The Commissioner, Ramanathapuram Municipality, Ramanathapuram. ... Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26/06/2026 and to permit the petitioner to submit manual application for building plan approval for construction of a mosque building with towers in in Town Survey No. 73, Old Survey No. 19/7, Velipattinam Village, Ramanathapuram Taluk and District and further direct the respondents to consider the same in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 within a time frame. For Petitioner : Mr. J. Barathan For R1 : Ms.K.R.Shivashankari, Counsel for State For R2 : Mr.K.Saravanan