Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 17-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE Malliga ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Land Commissioner Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai.
2. The District Collector
3. The District Revenue Officer
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer
5. The Thasildar
..Respondent(s) Directing the Respondents 1 to 5 consider the representation dated 12.1.2026 by delete or expunge the wrongful classification of Survey No.97/7 as water body and reclassify the same as Natham Patta or Zamin Patta land and grant free house site Patta to the Petitioner in S.No.97/7 situated at Yelagiri Village, Tirupathur Taluk and District. Page1 of 6 For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.Rajarajan For Respondent(s): Mr.D.Ravichander,SGP
Order
This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents to delete or expunge the wrong classification of the properties, morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition.
2. According to the petitioner, the properties morefully disclosed in the
prayer to this writ petition has been wrongly classified as water body. According to the petitioner, the subject properties has to be re-classified as Natham or Zamin patta land. He also seeks for grant of free house site patta in his name for the subject properties. He had given a representation on 12.01.2026 to the respondents for the aforesaid purpose. Since the same was not considered, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.
3. Mr.D.Ravichander, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents.
4. At the outset, the Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that when the properties for which change of Page2 of 6 classification is sought for is classified as water body, the question of grant of patta in favour of the petitioner does not arise.
5.However, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that since the petitioner is in possession of the subject properties for several decades, necessarily, the request of the petitioner seeking for re-classification of the subject properties as Natham or Zamin patta land has to be considered by the respondents. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the respective contentions.
6. No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if the petitioner’s representation as stated supra is considered on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
7. For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the 2 nd respondent to pass
final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner’s representation, dated 12.01.2026 seeking for re-classification of the properties morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition as Natham or Zamin patta land and for grant of free house site patta in favour of the petitioner for the subject properties, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
Page3 of 6
8. With the aforesaid direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 17-03-2026 Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No VGA Page4 of 6 To
1. The Land Commissioner Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai.
2. The District Collector
3. The District Revenue Officer
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer
5. The Thasildar Page5 of 6 ABDUL QUDDHOSE J. VGA 17-03-2026 Page6 of 6