A court can compel authorities to fulfill procedural obligations within a statutory time frame to ensure justice.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02-03-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Kamal ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Madurai North Taluk, Madurai District 2. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Madurai North Taluk, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to dispose the petitioners application dated 26.02.2025 within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Honble Court and pass such further or other orders as this Honble court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Paramasivam For Respondents : Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate ORDER The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the 1^st respondent to dispose of the petitioner's application dated 26.02.2025 within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court.

2. Heard Mr.M.Paramasivam, learned counsel appearing for petitioner and Mr.P.Thambidurai, learned Government Advocate who takes notice for the respondents.

3. By consent of both the parties, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

4. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the materials available on record, it is seen that the case of the petitioner is that the petitioner's father, namely Arumugam, died on 20.12.1990 and that the said death was not registered at the relevant point of time. Consequently, no death certificate was issued. Therefore, the petitioner has now filed an application seeking registration of the death and issuance of a death certificate. It is further stated that the Revenue Divisional Officer, after enquiring into the same, passed the proceedings dated 10.03.2025.

5. On a perusal of the proceedings dated 10.03.2025, it is seen that the Revenue Divisional Officer has sought for documents standing in the name of the dead person including the receipt for cremation/burial, particulars relating to the 16^th day ceremony, statements from the legal heirs, and notarized affidavits to be submitted. It is further seen that a communication in this regard has been sent to the 2^nd respondent. 6. Therefore, the writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:-

i. The 2^nd respondent is directed to issue notice to the petitioner and any other legal heirs and duly record their statements and request them to furnish all such proof available with them along with the existing proof which is already submitted. After recording the statements and obtaining the necessary notarized affidavits, the second respondent shall forward the same to the 1^st respondent within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of this order;

ii. upon receipt of the report, the 1^st respondent shall pass such further orders within a period of four weeks therefrom;

iii.No costs.