Disposed¶35

St.Thomas Church v. The Secretary to Government

Madras HC5 Mar 2026WP(MD)/5956/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Keywords: writ of mandamus; Article 226 of the Constitution of India; Christian burial ground; cemetery land allotment; Government poromboke land; Tharisu land classification; land acquisition alternative; representation dated 25.08.2025; District Revenue Officer; District Collector Dindigul; twelve weeks compliance timeline; minority welfare; disposed with no costs; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; W.P(MD)No.5956 of 2026; S.Srimathy, J.; dated 05.03.2026.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the fourth respondent / District Collector to consider the petitioner's representation and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within twelve (12) weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; no order as to costs. ¶35

St.Thomas Church Vs The Secretary to Government — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P(MD)No.5956 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 05.03.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY

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W.P(MD)No.5956 of 2026

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St.Thomas Church, Represented by its Parish Priest, Batlagundu, Dindigul District.

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... Petitioner

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The Secretary to Government, Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005.

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The Commissioner of Land Administration, Land Administration Department, 2^nd Floor Elizham, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

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The Chairman, State Minority Commission, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor

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Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

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The District Collector, Thiagi Subramania Maligai, Velu Nachiar Valaham, Chettinaickenpatti, Dindigul - 624 004.

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1/5

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

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W.P(MD)No.5956 of 2026

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The District Revenue Officer, Thiagi Subramania Maligai, Velu Nachiar Valaham,

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Chettinaickenpatti, Dindigul - 624 004.

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The Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul - 624 001.

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The District Officer, Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Dindigul District.

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The Tahsildar, Nilakkottai, Dindigul 624 208. ... Respondents

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PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to act upon the representation, dated 25.08.2025, directing the respondents to allot land for cemetery, as per the request of the petitioner.

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For Petitioner : M.Savarimuthu.FR.S For M/S. Father Xavier Associates For Respondents : Mr.SRA.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader

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ORDER

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The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of

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Mandamus, to direct the respondents to act upon the representation, dated 25.08.2025, directing the respondents to allot land for cemetery, as per the request

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of the petitioner.

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2/5

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

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W.P(MD)No.5956 of 2026

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2. The petitioner is seeking to allot Government poromboke land for a

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Christian burial ground for which the petitioner is also relying on the classification of three lands, which are shown as “Tharisu”. In the event that no suitable land is available, the petitioner has further requested acquisition of land and allotment of the same for a Christian burial ground. Such representation was submitted as early as 25.08.2025

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3. The petitioner submitted a representation to the District Revenue Officer, with a copy marked to the District Collector. Therefore, the fourth respondent / District Collector is directed to consider the petitioner's representation and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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4. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

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05.03.2026

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NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes

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jbr

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3/5

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

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W.P(MD)No.5956 of 2026

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To:

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The Secretary to Government, Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Khalasa Mahal (Heritage Building), First Floor, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005.

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