Murugesan Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

Murugesan Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Survey of Survey No.904/4D (25 cents), Old Batlagundu Village, to be conducted by the 2nd respondent with the 3rd respondent's assistance after notice to the petitioner and joint pattadhars; police protection by the 4th respondent if required; adherence to the Standard Operating Procedure; completion within 12 weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; no costs.

Issue for consideration

Whether respondents 1 and 2 should be directed to conduct survey of the land in Survey No.904/4D (extent 25 cents), Old Batlagundu Village, Batlagundu, Nilakottai, Dindigul District, and whether the 4th respondent should provide adequate police protection during the survey, based on the petitioner's representation dated 11.01.2026.

Court's answer

The Court directed the 2nd respondent (Tahsildar) to conduct the survey with the help of the 3rd respondent (Head Surveyor), after issuing notice to both the petitioner and the joint pattadhars.

Ratio / Principle

If required, the 4th respondent (Inspector of Police) shall provide police protection to ensure the survey of the land is conducted smoothly.

Key takeaways

The prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (notice signature before survey, satisfaction signature after survey, protest signature with stated reasons if dissatisfied) shall be strictly followed by the parties, and the exercise shall be completed within 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.ratio¶36

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of Mandamus (Article 226) - Land Survey - Petitioner Murugesan sought a survey of land in Survey No.904/4D (25 cents), Old Batlagundu Village, Batlagundu, Nilakottai, Dindigul District, with police protection, stating there were no rival claimants; respondents submitted that a joint patta had been issued in the names of the petitioner and his brother. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court (Justice S.Srimathy) disposed of the writ petition by directing the Tahsildar (2nd respondent) to conduct the survey with the help of the Head Surveyor (3rd respondent) after issuing notice to both the petitioner and the joint pattadhars; the Inspector of Police (4th respondent) to provide police protection if required; adherence to a three-step Standard Operating Procedure (signature on the survey notice, post-survey satisfaction signature, and protest signature with reasons if dissatisfied); and completion of the exercise within 12 weeks from receipt of a copy of the order. No costs.

W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED: 10.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY

W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

Murugesan

... Petitioner

Vs.

The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

The Tahsildar,

\Taluk Office, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.

The Head Surveyor, Taluk Office, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.

The Inspector of Police, Batlagundu Police Station, Dindigul District. ... Respondents

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W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 & 2 to conduct survey the land in Survey No.904/4D with an extent of 25 cents situated at Old Batlagundu Village, Batlagundu, Nilakottai, Dindigul District as well as to direct the 4^th respondent to give adequate police protection during survey conducting by the 2^nd & 3^rd respondents within a stipulated time fixed by this Court based on the petitioner's representation dated 11.01.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Muniyandi For Respondents : Mr.SRA.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader (R1 to R3) M/s.M.Aasha Government Advocate (Crl Side) (R4)

O R D E R

This petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents 1 & 2 to conduct survey the land in Survey No.904/4D with an extent of 25 cents situated at Old Batlagundu Village, Batlagundu, Nilakottai, Dindigul District as well as to direct the 4^th respondent to give adequate police protection during

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W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

survey conducting by the 2^nd & 3^rd respondents within a stipulated time fixed by this Court based on the petitioner's representation dated 11.01.2026.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that there are no rival claimants, and therefore, the petitioner requests a survey of the property along with sufficient police protection.

The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the 4^th respondent have submitted that the joint patta has been issued in the names of both the petitioner and his brother.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court directs the 2^nd respondent to conduct the survey with the help of the 3^rd respondent, after issuing notice to both the petitioner and the joint pattadhars. If required, the 4^th respondent shall provide police protection to ensure the survey of the land is conducted smoothly. The Court is also directing the second respondent to adhere

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W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

to the following Standard Operating Procedures:

a. The second respondent shall issue notice to the petitioner immediately reaching the spot where survey is to be conducted. The petitioner shall affix the signature by receiving the notice of survey.

b.After survey again the petitioner shall affix signature indicating that the survey was conducted to their satisfaction.

c. If the petitioner is not satisfied, then also the petitioner shall affix signature indicating their dissatisfaction or with protest. The petitioner shall indicate that reason of their dissatisfaction or protest.

The aforesaid procedure shall be strictly followed by the parties The said exercise shall be completed within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

10.03.2026

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

msrm To

The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.

The Head Surveyor, Taluk Office, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.

The Inspector of Police, Batlagundu Police Station, Dindigul District.

The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai

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W.P.(MD)No.6293 of 2026

S.SRIMATHY, J

msrm

Order made in W.P.(MD)No. 6293 of 2026

10.03.2026

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