W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 S.Ramanathan ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. 2. The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate Campus, Tirunelveli – 627 009. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District. 4. The Tahsildar, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District. 5. The Village Administrative Officer, Reddiarpatti Village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to implement the order passed by the proceedings of the Commissioner of Land Administration in R1/12941956/2026 dated 16.02.2026 and consequently reclassify Survey No. 267/2 (Old Survey No.178/P). Reddiarpatti Village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District excluding public utility areas, from ''Arasu Poramboke'' into ''Natham /Ryuotwari Manai'' in all revenue records and Tamil Nilam Portal and consequently issue patta to the petitioner by considering the representation dated 13.03.2026 within a time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.Sargunam For Respondents : Mr.I.Pinaygash Counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu O R D E R This petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents to implement the order passed by the proceedings of the Commissioner of Land Administration in R1/12941956/2026 dated 16.02.2026 and consequently reclassify Survey No.267/2 (Old Survey No.178/P). Reddiarpatti Village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District excluding public utility areas, from ''Arasu Poramboke'' into ''Natham /Ryuotwari Manai'' in all revenue records and 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 Tamil Nilam Portal and consequently issue patta to the petitioner by considering the representation dated 13.03.2026 within a time frame fixed by this Court. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner claims rights over the property situated in Survey No. 267/2 (Old Survey No. 178/P and Jam Survey No. 352) of Reddiarpatti Village. The said locality is a well-established residential colony that was formed several decades ago. The title to the property can be traced to registered sale deeds bearing Document Nos. 3881 of 1958 and 568 of 1959, pursuant to which several subsequent conveyances have taken place. It is further submitted that more than 150 registered documents exist in respect of the said survey field, and over 30 residential houses and commercial establishments have been developed therein. The petitioner has also been in continuous possession and enjoyment of the property for several decades. However, despite the above, the land was erroneously classified as "Arasu Poramboke" during the UDR scheme due to an administrative mistake. In this regard, the petitioner seeks reclassification of the land. It is further submitted that an identical issue was considered by this Court in W.P.(MD) No. 19785 of 2024, wherein, by order dated 28.08.2024, this Court 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 recorded the submissions of the Revenue Department and directed the authorities to take appropriate steps to reclassify the land from "Arasu Poramboke" to "Natham/Ryotwari Manai". 3. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the State/respondents. 4. It is seen that the said issue has already been considered by the Commissioner of Land Administration, vide order dated 16.02.2026 in Letter No. R1/12941956/2026 stated under below ''Mdhy; ,Jehs; tiu Nfhug;gl;l tptuq;fs; ,t;tYtyfj;jpy; ngwg;gltpy;iy. jpUkjp. rptQhdk; f/ng eluh[d; mtu;fspd; Nfhupf;ifia Nghd;Nw gy kDjhuu;fsplkpUe;Jk kDf;fs; ,t;tYtyfj;jpw;F kPs tug;ngWtjhy;> ,t;tYtyfj;jpdhy; njuptpf;fg;gl;l 18.12.2025 ehspl;l fbjj;jpYs;s mwpTWj;jypd;gb> cupa fhyj;jpw;Fs; tpiue;J gl;lh toq;fpl eltbf;if Nkw;nfhz;L> mt;tptuj;jpid kDjhuUf;Fk; ,t;tYtyfj;jpw;Fk; xUthu fhyj;jpw;Fs; njuptpf;FkhW Nfl;Lf;nfhs;sg;gLfpwJ.' 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 5. The District Collector has also issued a similar order dated 20.03.2026 in Letter No. COLTNV/4929/2024 S4, stating as follows: ''Nkw;gb epyj;jpy; G+q;fh> OSR.rhiy kw;Wk; njUtpw;F DTCP xg;Gjypy; Fwpg;gplg;gl;l mstpit khWjy; nra;ahky; epiyepWj;jp ,ju njhlu; Mtzq;fspd; mbg;gilapy; tPLfs; fl;bAk; fhypkidfis mDgtpj;J tUNthUf;F cupa cl;gpupTfs; nra;J gl;lh toq;fpl cupa eltbf;if Nkw;nfhz;L ej;jk; J}a mlq;fy; kw;Wk; fzpdp Mtzq;fspy; gjpT nra;aTk; njuptpf;fg;gl;Ls;sJ. ,J njhlu;ghf ghu;it 2 y; fz;l fbjk; %yk; jpUney;Ntyp Nfhl;lhl;rpau; mtu;fSf;F mwpf;if Nfhup fbjk; mDg;gg;gl;Ls;sJ mwpf;if tug;ngw;w cld; njhlu; eltbf;if Nkw;nfhs;sg;gLk; vd;w tpguk; ,jd; %yk; 'njuptpj;Jf;nfhs;sg;gLfpwJ.' 6. There has been a positive direction from the competent authorities to reclassify the land and issue separate pattas to the individuals. Despite this, respondents 4 and 5 have failed to implement the said order. In the present writ petition, it is stated that several residents occupying the industrial area have 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 repeatedly approached this Court, and this Court has consistently passed orders directing reclassification. However, instead of reclassifying the entire area, the respondents are compelling individual residents to approach the Court separately. Such conduct on the part of the respondents is highly condemnable. Furthermore, the respondents 4 and 5 have not complied with the directions issued by their higher authorities. In view of the above, the respondents 4 and 5 are hereby strictly directed to reclassify the said land from “Arasu Poramboke” to “Natham/Ryotwari Manai,” This order is applicable to all persons residing in S.No.267/2 (Old S.No.178/P). 7. Therefore, the respondents 4 and 5 are further directed to complete the entire process within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 10.06.2026 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 NCC : Yes / No msrm To 1. The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. 2. The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate Campus, Tirunelveli – 627 009. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District. 4. The Tahsildar, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District. 5. The Village Administrative Officer, Reddiarpatti Village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District. 7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 S.SRIMATHY, J msrm Order made in W.P.(MD)No.15506 of 2026 10.06.2026 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis