Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 02.03.2026
CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE and W.M.P.No.8693 of 2026 Raja ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Land Commissioner, Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai. 2.The District Collector, Tirupathur 3.The District Revenue Officer, 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, 5.The Thasildar, Tirupathur District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to Page No.1 of 6
5 consider the representation dated 12.01.2026 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. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Rajarajan For Respondents : Mr.D.Ravichander Special Government Pleader *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents to delete or expunge the wrong classification of the property morefully described in the prayer to this writ petition.
2. According to the petitioner, the property morefully disclosed in
the prayer to this writ petition has been wrongly classified as a water body. According to the petitioner, the subject property 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 property. 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.
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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 property for which change of classification is sought for is classified as a water body, the question of grant of patta in favour of the petitioner does not arise. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that since the petitioner is in possession of the subject property for several decades, necessarily, the request of the petitioner seeking for re-classification of the subject property 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.
5. 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.
6. For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the 2 nd respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the Page No.3 of 6
petitioner’s representation, dated 12.01.2026 seeking for re-classification of the property 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 property, within a period of twelve
(12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the aforesaid direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 02.03.2026 Index : Yes / No (1/5)
Speaking order / Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation Case : Yes/No sp Page No.4 of 6 To 1.The Land Commissioner, Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai. 2.The District Collector, Tirupathur 3.The District Revenue Officer, 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, 5.The Thasildar, Page No.5 of 6
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.
sp 02.03.2026 (5/5) Page No.6 of 6