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

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

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ petition disposed of by directing the Tahsildar, Palayamkottai, to conduct an inquiry after issuing notice to the petitioner and to Velmurugan and Sivalingam, and to issue a speaking order within three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order; no costs awarded.

Issue for consideration

Whether the first to fifth respondents should be directed to survey the land in Survey Nos. 181/5B and 181/5A2 in Seevalapperi, Palavankottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District, pursuant to the petitioner's application dated 19/08/2025. +1 more

Court's answer

The Tahsildar shall issue a speaking order within three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order; the writ petition was disposed of with no costs.

Ratio / Principle

Instead of ordering the survey forthwith, this Court disposed of the writ petition by directing the Tahsildar to conduct an inquiry after issuing notice to the petitioner and to the objectors Velmurugan and Sivalingam.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, J. — W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025, decided 14.11.2025. Filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, petitioner L.Chinnathurai sought a writ of mandamus directing the first to fifth respondents (revenue officials of Tirunelveli District up to the Head Surveyor) to survey land in Survey Nos. 181/5B and 181/5A2 in Seevalapperi, Palavankottai Taluk, based on his application dated 19.08.2025, supported by a settlement deed dated 01.03.2024 (Doc.No.383 of 2024) and a joint patta with his brother (Survey No. 181/5A2, 32.78 ares). The learned Government Advocate reported objections by one Velmurugan and Shivalingam, who alleged the petitioner's claim traces to a partition of undivided shares and claims a larger extent than his father was entitled to. The Court did not order the survey directly: it disposed of the petition by directing the Tahsildar to conduct an inquiry after notice to the petitioner and both objectors, and to issue a speaking order within three months of receiving the Court's order; no costs.

W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED : 14.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY

W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025

L.Chinnathurai ... Petitioner

Vs

The District Collector, O/o. the District Collectorate Office, Tirunelveli District.

The District Revenue Officer, O/o the District Revenue Office, Tirunelveli District.

The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tirunelveli District.

The Tahsildar, O/o. the Tahsildar, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.

The Head Surveyor, O/o. the Tahsildar Office, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first

1/4

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

W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025

to fifth respondents to survey the land in Survey Nos. 181/5B and 181/5A2 in Seevalapperi Palavankottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District based upon the application dated 19/08/2025 within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr. S.Ramsundarvijayraj For Respondents : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam Government Advocate

O R D E R

By relying on a settlement deed dated 01.03.2024 (Doc.No.383 of 2024) and the joint patta in the names of the petitioner and his brother,

the petitioner had applied for a survey of land in survey No.181/5A2 of an extent of 32.78 ares.

Learned Government Advocate accepts notice for all the

respondents. On the basis of written instructions, he states that one Velmurugan and Shivalingam have raised objections, inter alia , on the ground that the claim of the petitioner is traceable to a partition in respect

of undivided shares and that the petitioner has claimed a larger extent than the extent that the petitioner's father was entitled to.

2/4

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

W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025

Considering the aforesaid, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the Tahsildar to conduct an inquiry after issuing notice to the petitioner and the above mentioned Velmurugan and Sivalingam. A speaking order shall be issued within three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

NCS : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No apd

14.11.2025

To

The District Collector, O/o. the District Collectorate Office, Tirunelveli District.

The District Revenue Officer, O/o the District Revenue Office, Tirunelveli District.

The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tirunelveli District.

The Tahsildar, O/o. the Tahsildar, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.

3/4

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

W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025

SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY.,J.

apd

The Head Surveyor, O/o. the Tahsildar Office, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.

ORDER MADE IN

W.P(MD)No. 32742 of 2025

14.11.2025

4/4

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