Madras High Court
WP(MD)/29016/2026 of Oor Nala Committee Vs The District Collector on 12 October 2026
WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 12-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR
RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011384582026}
Oor Nala Committee
Kootapuli Village,
Kootapuli,
Radhapuram-Taluk,
Tirunelveli District,
Represented by its Member
Kennedy Sahayaraj.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The District Collector
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli.
2. The Tahsildar
Radhapuram Taluk
Tirunelveli District.
3. The Assistant Director of Rural Development (Audit)
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli District.
4. The Block Development Officer
Valliyur
Tirunelveli District.
5. The President
Levinjipuram Panchayat
Levinjipuram
Tirunelveli District.
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WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to return the key of the Tsunami Rehabilitation Centre Buildings, Kootapuli Village, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, thereby enabling the petitioner to reopen the same by considering the petitioners representation dated 19.08.2026 and pass such other and further orders as this Honble Court may deem fit to the facts and circumstances of the case and thus render justice.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s N.Pragalathan
For Respondent(s):
Mr.S.I.Muthiah, AGP for R1 to R3
Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff, SGP
for R4 and R5
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ORDER
Asserting that the land measuring an extent of 75 cents and other lands in Survey No.418/2C, Kootapuli, Levinchipuram Revenue Village, Radhapuram Taluk, originally belonged to the Saint Soosaiappar Church, the petitioner has approached this Court after submitting representation dated 19.08.2026, requesting that the key to the tsunami rehabilitation centre constructed on the above-mentioned land be returned to the petitioner. __________
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WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner refers to the representation and submits that the affected fisherfolk were unable to take shelter in the rehabilitation centre between 19.08.2026 and 20.08.2026. She submits that the keys were requested for so as to avert a similar situation in future.
3. Mr.S.I.Muthiah, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice for respondents 1 to 3 and Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice for respondents 4 and 5.
4. On the basis of written instructions, learned counsel for respondents 1 to 3 submits that the keys to the rehabilitation centre were handed over on 24.09.2026 to the Block Development Officer, Valliyur. He adds that the petitioner does not have the authority to request for the keys to the building.
5. From the documents on record, it appears that the land on which the rehabilitation centre was constructed was gifted. Pursuant thereto, the ownership of the land was transferred. There is nothing in the affidavit to indicate that the petitioner put up the construction. On the contrary, __________
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WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026 respondents 1 to 3 assert that the construction was put up by the Government. In those circumstances, the request of the petitioner for handing over the keys cannot be countenanced. At the same time, it should be taken note of that the building is intended to provide rehabilitation in times of crisis. Therefore, the respondents are directed to ensure that the building is available for rehabilitation purposes during storms and other natural calamities. Needless to say, the building should be put to use for the intended purpose and not for commercial purposes.
6. With these observations, the writ petition stands disposed of without any order as to costs. 12-10-2026 Index: No Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: No PKN __________
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WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026 To
1. The District Collector Tirunelveli District Tirunelveli.
2. The Tahsildar Radhapuram Taluk Tirunelveli District.
3. The Assistant Director of Rural Development (Audit) Tirunelveli Tirunelveli District.
4. The Block Development Officer Valliyur Tirunelveli District.
5. The President Levinjipuram Panchayat Levinjipuram Tirunelveli District. __________
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WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J. pkn WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026 __________
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WP(MD) No. 29016 of 2026 12-10-2026 __________
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