Madras High Court
WP/40744/2026 of MR.ANANDHAN Vs THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR on 8 October 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 08-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM
AND
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.RAJESH VIVEKANANTHAN
Writ Petition No. 40744 of 2026
CNR:{HCMA012320892026}
Mr.Anandhan
S/o.Palani
..Petitioner
Vs
1. The District Collector
Annamalaiyar Nagar, Vengikkal,
Tiruvannamalai – 606604.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer
Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai - 606707.
3. The Tahsildar
Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai - 606707.
4. The Village Administrative Officer
Thadaraapattu, Tiruvannamalai,
Tiruvannamalai - 606707.
5. Mr.Kulasekar
S/o.Gopal Rettiyar,
6. Mrs.Shanthi
W/o.Ramasamy,
7. Mr.Mohan
S/o.Govinda Rettiyar,
8. Mrs.Vanaja
W/o.Dhanasekar,
9. Mrs.Rani
W/o.krishnakumar,
10.Mr.Selvakumar
S/o.Govinda Rettiyar,
11.Mrs.Rajakumari
W/o.Rajamannar,
12.Mrs.Gowri
W/o.Ambikapathi,
13.Mr.V.Ravi
S/o.Venkatesa Rettiyar,
14.Mr.V.Babu
S/o.Venkatesa Rettiyar,
..Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd \ respondent to dispose the appeal filed by the petitioner on 25.08.2026 within a time frame stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.
For Petitioner :
Mr.S.Balamuki
For Respondents :
Mr.G.Abraham Prabhu
Additional Government Pleader [R1 to R4]
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ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.Subramaniam J.) Writ of mandamus has been instituted to direct the 2nd respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner on 25.08.2026 under Section 12 of the Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Act, 1983[hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’].
2. The petitioner filed an application seeking cancellation of patta. Since no action has been taken, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the Revenue Divisional Officer under Section 12 of the Act. Since the appeal has been preferred on 25.08.2026, the petitioner has to wait for some more time to dispose of the appeals.
3. This Court is of the considered view that filing a writ of mandamus to dispose of the appeal, at all circumstances cannot be granted by the High Court. Several appeals may be pending before the Government for disposal. Any preference in disposing of the appeal for a person, who is filing a writ petition, would cause prejudice to the other persons, who all are waiting for the disposal of their respective appeals by the Government. Appeals filed by aggrieved persons are to be registered and to be disposed of in a systematic manner and in the order of seniority. If any preference is required on certain grounds, the authorities has to consider such appeal and dispose of the same. It is the discretion vest with the Government. However, all appeals are to be decided systematically and without causing any undue delay.
4. High Court routinely issuing a direction to dispose of the appeal, would cause prejudice to the authorities to perform their work in a systematic manner. The competent authority has to regulate the works on their board and considering all these mitigating factors, this Court is not inclined to fix any time limit to dispose of the appeal. If the statute prescribes time limit for disposal of appeal, that also to be taken into consideration by the competent authority while dealing with the appeals. As far as possible, all such appeals filed under Section 12 of the Act are to be disposed of within the timeline as contemplated under the Act. Unreasonable delay in disposing of the appeal to be avoided. In view of the above position, the 2nd respondent is directed to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner as expeditiously as possible. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. (S.M.S.,J.) (R.R.V.,J.) 08-10-2026 Index: Yes Speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No mp To
1. The District Collector Annamalaiyar Nagar, Vengikkal, Tiruvannamalai – 606604.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai - 606707.
3. The Tahsildar Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai - 606707.
4. The Village Administrative Officer Thadaraapattu, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai - 606707.
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J. AND R.RAJESH VIVEKANANTHAN J. mp WP No. 40744 of 2026 08-10-2026