WA/3148/2026 of K.Semmalai Vs The District Revenue Officer on 13 October 2026

J U D G M E N T

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam,J.) The present Writ Appeal has been filed, challenging Writ Order dated 06.10.2025 passed in W.P.No.36366 of 2025. Writ Petitioners are appellants before this Court. Writ Petition had been instituted, challenging the order passed by District Revenue Officer (DRO), Villupuram dated 17.07.2025, relegating appellants to approach Civil Court to resolve the title dispute.

2. Learned counsel for appellants would mainly contend that application has been filed seeking mutation of Revenue Records. Therefore, Authorities ought to have considered the said application.

3. In the present case, a detailed enquiry was conducted by DRO, Villupuram by affording opportunity to all parties and DRO arrived at a conclusion that title dispute exists between the parties. Therefore, they were asked to approach competent Civil Court for adjudicating their civil rights.

4. This Court has to consider the correctness of findings rendered by DRO. Section 3 of Tamil Nadu Patta Passbook Act, 1983 (in short ‘the Act, 1983’) states about issue of patta pass book. Sub- section (1) stipulates that “the Tahsildar shall issue a patta pass book to every owner in respect of land owned by him, on an application made by him in this behalf. Any application received under this section shall be acknowledged by the Tahsildar or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf”.

5. Rule 4 (4) of the Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Rules, 1987 in an unambiguous terms states that “in the event of the Tahsildar being satisfied that a dispute concerning ownership of patta is already pending in a Court or issues are raised before him which impinge on personal laws or laws of succession and all the parties interested do not agree on the ownership in writing, he shall direct the concerned parties to obtain order on the ownership from a competent Civil Court having jurisdiction before changing the entries as already recorded and existing in the various revenue records”.

6. From the above, it is clear that application under Section 3 of the Act, 1983 is maintainable only by the owner of an immovable property. In the event of existence of any dispute relating to ownership, parties have to establish their rights by approaching competent Civil Court of law. Procedures to be followed on receipt of application have also been set out under Rule 4 of the Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Rules, 1987.

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J. AND R.RAJESH VIVEKANANTHAN,J. AR

7. In the present case, DRO has conducted a detailed enquiry and found that two persons are claiming ownership in respect of the land and therefore, relegated parties to approach Civil Court of Law to establish their rights. Thus, the decision arrived at by DRO is in consonance with the provisions of the Act, 1983 and Rules made thereunder. Considering the said aspect, Writ Court rightly dismissed Writ Petition. This Court does not find any further ground to interfere with the order of Writ Court. Consequently, the present Writ Appeal is dismissed. No costs. (S.M.S.,J.) (R.R.V.,J.) 13-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No AR To:

1. The District Revenue Officer, O/o. Villupuram District Revenue Office, Villupuram District.

2. The Tahsildhar, O/o. Gingee Taluk, Gingee, Villupuram District - 604 152.