Murugan v. The District Collector / Monitoring Committee
Writ of Mandamus – Non-consideration of representation – Government salai porompoke land – Alleged encroachments
Case brief
What is this about?
W.P.(MD).No.2329 of 2025, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, decided 29.01.2025 (M.S.Ramesh and A.D.Maria Clete, JJ.). Mandamus under Article 226 sought against District Collector/Monitoring Committee, Revenue Divisional Officer, Tahsildar (Natham Taluk) and Assistant Divisional Engineer (Highways), Dindigul District, for inaction on representation dated 20.12.2024 seeking removal of encroachments by private respondents 5-10 on Government salai porompoke land in S.Nos.458 and 460/20, Sellappanaickanpatti Village, Natham Taluk, Dindigul District. Court held a statutory authority must decide representations on merits and that non-consideration is dereliction of duty; direction issued to decide the representation within three months after hearing all interested persons; no view on merits; petition disposed of, no costs. No precedents cited.
What did the court decide?
Writ Petition disposed of with a direction to respondents 1 to 4 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 20.12.2024 on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after hearing the petitioner, respondents 5 to 10 and other interested persons, within three months; no order as to costs; no view expressed on merits.