Disposed¶36

Arunachalam v. The District Collector

Madras HC11 Jun 2025WP(MD)/15687/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Free patta; mandamus; direction to consider representation dated 26.04.2024; Tahsildar Thirumayam Taluk; District Collector Pudukkottai; Survey No.353 / S.No.353; 3 cents; Arimalam Village; Puthugai Aambal Road; 70 years possession; Article 226 Constitution of India; W.P.(MD); Madras High Court Madurai Bench; twelve weeks deadline; reasonable opportunity to petitioner and interested parties; no opinion on merits; disposed of; no costs.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the third respondent (Tahsildar, Thirumayam Taluk) to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.04.2024 and pass final orders on its own merits within twelve weeks, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner and other interested parties; without expressing any opinion on the merits; no costs. ¶36

Arunachalam Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the third respondent (Tahsildar, Thirumayam Taluk) should be directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.04.2024 and issue free patta in respect of 3 cents of land in S.No.353, Puthugai Aambal Road, Arimalam Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

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Court's answer

Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's claim, the Court directed the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.04.2024 and pass final orders on its own merits.

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Ratio / Principle

The consideration and final orders were to be completed within twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner and other interested parties.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India - Petitioner sought direction to the Tahsildar, Thirumayam Taluk to consider his representation dated 26.04.2024 for grant of free patta in respect of 3 cents in S.No.353, Puthugai Aambal Road, Arimalam Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District, claiming family possession and enjoyment of the property for the past 70 years with a residential house and electricity connection thereon. Learned Government Advocate undertook that the representation would be considered on its own merits within a time stipulated by the Court. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claim, the Court directed the third respondent to consider the representation dated 26.04.2024 and pass final orders on its own merits within twelve weeks from receipt of a copy of the order, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner and other interested parties. Writ Petition disposed of. No costs.

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W.P.(MD) No.15687 of 2025

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 11.06.2025

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR

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W.P.(MD) No.15687 of 2025

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Arunachalam ... Petitioner

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Vs.

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1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

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2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

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3.The Tahsildar, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

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... Respondents

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Prayer :- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the third respondent to issue free patta to the petitioner in respect of Survey No.353 to an extent of 3 cents situated at Puthugai Aambal Road, Arimalam Village,

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Page 1 of 5

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(MD) No.15687 of 2025

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Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 26.04.2024 within the time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Ms.A.Tamilarasi

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For Respondents : Mr.M.Gangatharan Government Advocate

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ORDER

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The petitioner herein seeks a direction to the third respondent to

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issue free patta in respect of 3 cents of land situated at S.No.353, Puthugai Aambal Road, Arimalam Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District, by considering his representation dated 26.04.2024.

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Heard the arguments of Ms.A.Tamilarasi, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.M.Gangatharan, learned Government Advocate, who takes notice on behalf of the respondents.

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By consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

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Page 2 of 5

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(MD) No.15687 of 2025

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According to the petitioner, his family has been in possession and enjoyment of the aforementioned property for the past 70 years. The petitioner had put up residential house thereon and obtained electricity service connection also. On the strength of his long possession, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 26.04.2024 before the first respondent seeking issuance of free house site patta. A copy of the same was also sent to the third respondent. The said representation has not been considered so far. Hence, the petitioner has come before this Court.

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Mr.M.Gangatharan, learned Government Advocate, who takes notice for the respondents, would submit that the representation submitted by the petitioner will be considered on its own merits, within a time stipulated by this Court.

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In view of the aforesaid submission, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claim made by the petitioner, this Court directs the third respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26.04.2024 and pass final orders on its own merits,

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Page 3 of 5

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(MD) No.15687 of 2025

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within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner and other

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interested parties.

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