W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 27.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 and WMP(MD)No.9558 of 2026 R.P.Murugan S/o.Paulraj, President, Seevalapuram Karadiudaippu Village Panchayat, Muthammalpuram, Alangulam Taluk, Tenkasi District. ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi. 2. The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 4. The Tahsildar, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 5. The District Forest Officer, Kalangarai, Sengottai, Tenkasi District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents from converting Survey No.87 in extent of 56.93 Acres situated at Muthammalpuram Village,Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, into the forest land by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.02.2026 along with resolution of the Grama Sabha Meeting dated 11.10.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Athimoolapandian For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan Special Government Pleader ORDER (Judgment of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The prayer in this writ petition is to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents from converting Survey No.87 to an extent of 56.93 Acres situated at Muthammalpuram Village, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, into the forest land, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.02.2026 along with the resolution of the Grama Sabha Meeting dated 11.10.2025. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 2. It is the grievance of the petitioner that he is the President of Seevalapuram Karadiudaippu Village Panchayat and the subject land is classified as grazing land, whereas, the 5th respondent suddenly restrained the villagers from using the said land for grazing the cattle and also trying to survey the land. Therefore, he seeks the abovesaid relief. 3. Learned Special Government Pleader, on instructions, would submit that the land in question is shown as forest land in SLR (Settlement Land Register) 1961. He would further submit that there is a proposal to make the subject land as reserved forest and notification will be issued under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882. He would also submit that the petitioner is one of the encroachers of the subject land. 4. When such being the position, the petitioner as a matter of right, cannot question the action of the respondents by way of writ petition. This type of writ petition, in our view, is nothing but a clear abuse of process of law. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 5. In that view of the matter, let the Forest Settlement Officer enquire into the matter and proceed as per the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882. 6. The Writ Petition is dismissed with the above observations. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 27.04.2026 Index : Yes / No Neutral Citation : Yes / No bala To 1. The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi. 2. The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 4. The Tahsildar, Veerakeralampudur Taluk, Tenkasi District. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 5. The District Forest Officer, Kalangarai, Sengottai, Tenkasi District. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 N.SATHISH KUMAR , J. AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J. bala ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.12697 of 2026 DATED : 27.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis