The court directed the revenue authority to conclude a pending patta mutation enquiry within a fixed timeframe of twelve weeks, ensuring a reasonable opportunity of hearing for all affected parties.

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to complete the enquiry initiated in O.Mu. No. E3057910/2025/J dated 11.03.2025 for the grant of patta and pass final orders on merits in accordance with law within the time fixed by this Court.

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to complete the enquiry initiated in O.Mu. No. E3057910/2025/J dated 11.03.2025 for grant of patta and to pass final orders on merits, in accordance with law, within the time to be fixed by this Court.

2. With the consent of the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself, dispensing with the notice to the third respondent, as no adverse orders are proposed to be passed against her.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner and her family members are the owners of the subject properties. The patta was mutated in the name of the third respondent based on a settlement deed, which was declared null and void by virtue of the dismissal of the appeal in A.S.(MD) No.29 of 2019 filed by the third respondent, without any notice to the petitioner. The S.L.P. filed by the third respondent is also pending. Aggrieved by the mutation of patta and seeking issuance of patta in her name, the petitioner filed an appeal before the first respondent under Section 12 of the Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Act, 1982 . The first respondent initiated an enquiry in O.Mu. No. E3057910/2025/J dated 11.03.2025 and forwarded the matter to the second respondent for submission of a report. However, no final order has been passed. Therefore, the petitioner has been constrained to file the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the first and second respondents, on instructions, would submit that the enquiry initiated in O.Mu. No. E3057910/2025/J dated 11.03.2025 would be completed and appropriate orders would be passed by the first respondent within a period of twelve weeks.

5. Recording the above submission and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to complete the enquiry initiated in O.Mu. No. E3057910/2025/J dated 11.03.2025 and pass appropriate orders on its merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The first respondent is also directed to provide a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties who may be affected by such decision, before passing any order. There shall be no order as to costs.