Madras High Court
WP(MD)/31220/2026 of Ayyanan alias Raja alias Sethuraja Vs The District Collector on 3 November 2026
WP(MD) No. 31220 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 03-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR
RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) No. 31220 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011541882026}
Ayyanan @ Raja @ Sethuraja
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The District Collector,
District Collectorate,
Madurai.
2. The Tahsildar,
Madurai North Taluk, Madurai
3. The Executive Authority/President
Alathoor Panchayat,
Madurai North Taluk,
Madurai District.
..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 official respondents to take appropriate action to restrain the Chichiluppai Villagers from burying corpses on petitioner’s patta land in Survey No.
53/1C2 and consequently to demolish the superstructure constructed for the cremation platform based on the petitioner’s representation dated 23.09.2026.
For Petitioner(s)
:Mr.N.Anantha Padmanathan
for M/s. APN Law Associates
WP(MD) No. 31220 of 2026
For Respondent(s)
:Mr.R.Parthiban
Special Government Pleader
for R1 & R2
Mrs.M.D.Devi Saravanan Priya
Additional Government Pleader
for R3
Citations and Judicial Treatment
Cited by
0
Decisions in the index citing it
Cites
0
Decisions referred to
In this index
0
Of the decisions it cites
Overruled / Questioned
0
No negative treatment found
Loading the citing and cited decisions…
This judgment in the centre: on the left the decisions it cites, on the right the decisions citing it. Colour is the treatment; choose a decision to open it.
ORDER
Asserting that the petitioner is the absolute owner of land ad measuring about 39 cents in Survey No.53/1C2 at Alathoor Village, the petitioner has approached this Court alleging that third parties are burying bodies or burning corpses in the private patta land of the petitioner.
2. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner contends that the burial or cremation of bodies on private land contravenes the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Village Panchayats (Provision of Burial and Burning Grounds) Rules, 1999. In particular, he places reliance on Rules 5 and 7 thereof.
3. Accepting notice on behalf of respondents 1 and 2, Mr.R.Parthiban, learned Special Government Pleader, submits that the Tahsildar will conduct an inquiry after issuing notice to the petitioner and to the alleged infringers. He submits that a speaking order would be issued within a reasonable time.
WP(MD) No. 31220 of 2026
4. If the petitioner’s assertion that burial or cremation activities are being carried out on the petitioner’s patta land is correct, such activities would clearly contravene Rules cited on behalf of the petitioner. Because these actions are being undertaken by third parties, it is necessary to issue notice to them before a decision is taken. The second respondent is directed to issue a speaking order after conducting an inquiry within a period of one (1) month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
5. This Writ Petition stands disposed of on the above terms. There shall be no order as to costs. 03-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No apd To
1. The District Collector District Collectorate Madurai
2. The Tahsildar Madurai North Taluk, Madurai
3. The Executive Authority/President Alathoor Panchayat Madurai North Taluk Madurai District
WP(MD) No. 31220 of 2026 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J. apd WP(MD) No. 31220 of 2026 03-11-2026