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K.Shanmugam v. The District Collector

Madras HC20 Jan 2026WP(MD)/1046/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Burial ground for Adi Dravidar families; Poongudi Village; alleged illegal burial in Channel Poramboke, S.No.123/8A, Ilangudi Village, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District; representation dated 11.06.2024; writ of mandamus under Article 226; direction to second respondent (District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer) to consider representation within eight weeks; disposed of, no costs; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; Krishnan Ramasamy, J.; W.P.(MD) No.1046 of 2026.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 11.06.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within eight weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; writ petition disposed of with no costs. ¶27

K.Shanmugam Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether a writ of mandamus should issue directing the respondents to take action for providing burial ground to the Adi Dravidar families at Poongudi Village and against the alleged illegal burial in the Channel Poramboke in S.No.123/8A of Ilangudi Village, Devakottai Taluk. +1 more

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Court's answer

The Court expressly refrained from expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's claim regarding the burial ground and the alleged illegal burial.

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Ratio / Principle

The Court directed the second respondent (District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer) to consider the petitioner's representation dated 11.06.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India (W.P.(MD) No.1046 of 2026) by K.Shanmugam seeking a writ of mandamus directing the District Collector, Sivagangai, to take action for providing burial ground to the Adi Dravidar families at Poongudi Village and against the alleged illegal burial in the Channel Poramboke in S.No.123/8A of Ilangudi Village, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District. The petitioner's representation dated 11.06.2024 had not been considered. The Government Advocate submitted the representation would be considered in accordance with law. Without expressing any opinion on the merits, Krishnan Ramasamy, J. directed the second respondent (District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer) to consider the representation dated 11.06.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within eight weeks from receipt of a copy of the order. Writ petition disposed of; no costs.

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W.P.(MD) No.1046 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED: 20.01.2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY

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W.P.(MD)No.1046 of 2026

K.Shanmugam

... Petitioner

The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

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The District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, Collectorate, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

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The Tahsildar, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District. ... Respondents

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Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent i.e., the District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai, to take purposeful action for providing burial ground to the Adi Dravidar Families at Poongudi Village and to take action for such illegal burial in the Channel Poramboke in S.No.123/8A of Ilangudi Village, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District, within a specified time frame that may be fixed by this Court.

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

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W.P.(MD) No.1046 of 2026

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Visvalingam For Respondents : Mrs.S.Jeyapriya, Government Advocate

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O R D E R

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This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent i.e., the District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai, to take purposeful action for providing burial ground to the Adi Dravidar Families at Poongudi Village and to take action for such illegal burial in the Channel Poramboke in S.No.123/8A of Ilangudi Village, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District, within a specified time frame that may be fixed by this Court.

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The petitioner requested the respondents to provide burial ground to the Adi Dravidar Welfare family in Poongudi Village. Hence, he made a representation to the respondents on 11.06.2024. However, the said representation has not been considered till date. Therefore, the present writ petition has been filed.

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The learned Government Advocate appearing for the

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respondents would submit that the representation of the petitioner dated 11.06.2024 would be considered in accordance with law.

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

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W.P.(MD) No.1046 of 2026

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In view of the above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Court directs the second respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 11.06.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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