R.Chellappa v. The Revenue Divisional Officer
Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus – Legal heir certificate
Case brief
What is this about?
R.Chellappa v. Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatti & Tahsildar, Kovilpatti (Thoothukudi District), W.P.(MD)No.14897 of 2026, decided 05.06.2026 by Hemant Chandangoudar, J., Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. Petitioner's application (No.TN.7202603031892) for a legal heirship certificate following the death of his father Ramamoorthy (04.02.2000) was rejected on 25.03.2026 for want of documents. The Court held the rejection unsustainable because it gave no specific reasons, identified no deficiencies, and was passed without the enquiry and notice to interested parties required to determine legal heirs, violating natural justice. Certiorarified mandamus under Article 226: order set aside; Tahsildar to hold enquiry, ascertain heirs, and issue certificate if established, within two months. Keywords: legal heir certificate, enquiry before issuance, principles of natural justice, certiorarified mandamus, Article 226, W.M.(MD)No.11196 of 2026.