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J.Rangarajan v. the District Collector

Madras HC4 Feb 2026WP/3909/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

W.P.No.3909 of 2026; Madras High Court; 04.02.2026; J.Rangarajan v. District Collector, Dharmapuri; Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act; Section 6 notice 31.12.2025; Section 10 statutory appeal 07.01.2026 pending; mandamus for speedy disposal refused; forbearance from demolition of house at Marandahalli, Palacode Taluk not granted; out-of-turn hearing prejudices litigants in queue; disposal as expeditiously as possible according to seniority; writ disposed of, no costs; connected W.M.P.No.4334 of 2026 closed; order by C.Kumarappan J. with S.M.Subramaniam J.

What did the court decide?

As the appeal was filed only on 07.01.2026, the authority is entitled to a reasonable time to adjudicate upon the matter. ¶24

J.Rangarajan Vs the District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P.No.3909 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 04.02.2026

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C O R A M

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN

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W.P.No.3909 of 2026 and W.M.P.No.4334 of 2026

J.Rangarajan

... Petitioner

-vs-

1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Dharmapuri – 5.

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2.The Tahsildar, Palacode, Dharmapuri District.

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3.The Revenue Inspector, Marandahalli, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District.

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... Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1^st respondent to forthwith consider and pass orders on the Statutory Appeal of the petitioner dated 07.01.2026, within a stipulated period and consequently forbear the respondents from demolishing the House of the petitioner bearing Door No.11, Thandava Udayar Street, Marandahalli Post, Dharmapuri District, pending disposal of the Statutory Appeal of the petitioner dated 07.01.2026.

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1/4

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

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W.P.No.3909 of 2026

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For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sekvarah

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For Respondents : Mr.T.Arun Kumar, Addl. Govt. Pleader

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O R D E R

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(Order of the Court was made by C.KUMARAPPAN,J.,)

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The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that he was issued with notice under Section 6 of the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act on 31.12.2025. It is the submission of the petitioner that thereafter they preferred an appeal under Section 10 of the Act on 07.01.2026 and such an appeal is pending and seeks for a speedy disposal.

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2. While looking at the filing of the appeal under Section 10 of the Act, it was only on 07.01.2026 and the Authority needs to have a reasonable time to adjudicate upon the matter and it is also relevant to refer that individuals cannot have out of turn hearing of the matter in a routine way, which would cause prejudice to the other litigants who are in queue.

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3. Therefore, this Court is not incline to give any direction to the Authorities. However, the Authorities may dispose of the appeal as expeditiously as possible, according to the seniority.

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