B.Senthilkumaran Vs The Director/Dcp — Corruption | Madras HC (2026)

B.Senthilkumaran Vs The Director/Dcp — Corruption | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Disposed

Issue for consideration

Whether a writ of Mandamus should be issued directing the 2nd respondent to file a preliminary report or a final report, as the case may be, on the petitioner's complaint within a period of 4 weeks. +1 more

Ratio / Principle

On consideration of the submissions and perusal of the materials available on record, the court found that the possession certificate was mistakenly issued in the name of Murugesan.

Key takeaways

In respect of the said irregularity, enquiry has been initiated against Arivudainambi, former Thasildar, Sangagiri, and Selvaraj, former Revenue Inspector; recording the same, the court disposed of the writ petition criminal (instead of granting the prayed-for mandamus).ratio¶34

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (M. Nirmal Kumar, J.), WP Crl. No. 1 of 2026, decided 11-02-2026: Writ petition criminal under Article 226 of the Constitution of India by B. Senthilkumaran seeking a writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent (Inspector General of Police, Special Investigation Cell-I, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption) to file a preliminary report or final report on his complaint dated 06.05.2025 against the SRO, Magudanchavadi, Surveyor and Revenue Officials, within four weeks. The court noted the complaint (petn. No.5842/2025/REGN/SL dated 12.05.2026 as printed) was forwarded to the Inspector General of Registration, Chennai pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.173, P & AR (N) Department dated 19.12.2018, as document verification was required; that V & AC scrutiny found no prima facie material attracting offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act; that the District Registrar (Admin), Salem West, under Section 72 of Registration Act directed registration of the pending sale document No. P114/2022 of purchaser Murugesan (registered 25.08.2023); that the Tahsildar, Sangagiri Taluk reported the possession certificate was wrongly issued to Murugesan; and that the District Collector, Salem (letter e/f/.e-1812/2025/m2 dated 06.02.2026) confirmed charges initiated against Arivudainambi, former Thasildar, Sangagiri, and Selvaraj, former Revenue Inspector, under Section 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Finding that the possession certificate was mistakenly issued in the name of Murugesan and that enquiry had been initiated for that irregularity, the court disposed of the writ petition criminal recording the same.

Procedural history

How this case reached the court

AI extract

Prior proceeding
Petitioner sent a complaint dated 06.05.2025 to the respondent making serious allegations against the SRO, Magudanchavadi, Surveyor and Revenue Officials.¶21
Prior proceeding
Complaint received and assigned petition No.5842/2025/REGN/SL dated 12.05.2026 (date as printed); petitioner informed that, as per G.O.Ms.No.173, P & AR (N) Department dated 19.12.2018, since document verification was required, the complaint was forwarded to the Inspector General of Registration, Chennai; no further communication followed.¶22
Prior proceeding
Status report filed by learned Govt. Advocate (Crl.Side): on scrutiny by V & AC, no prima facie material was found attracting offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act; contents required verification of documents by competent authority; complaint forwarded to the Inspector General of Registration, Chennai, with copies marked to the Collector, Salem and Superintendent of Police, Salem.¶28
Prior proceeding
District Registrar (Admin), Salem West, letter No.7020/E4/2025 dated 12.01.2026: appeal petition of Murugesan S/o.Kesava Pillai, purchaser of the disputed property, accepted; under Section 72 of Registration Act orders issued to the Sub Registrar, Magudanchavadi on 20.06.2023 to register pending document No. P114/2022; pending documents registered on 25.08.2023.¶28
Prior proceeding
Tahsildar, Sangagiri Taluk reported that the possession certificate was wrongly issued to Murugesan without paying due attention to any registration of documents or patta in his name.¶28
Prior proceeding
Enquiry officer nominated to collect additional information and documents to complete the enquiry and submit a report on the petitioner's complaint.¶32
Prior proceeding
District Collector, Salem, letter in e/f/.e-1812/2025/m2 dated 06.02.2026 produced in court, confirming that on the petitioner's complaint charges have been initiated against Arivudainambi, former Thasildar, Sangagiri, and Selvaraj, former Revenue Inspector, under Section 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules.¶33