Revenue authorities cannot initiate eviction on patta land as per survey findings; disputes should be resolved in civil courts.

[Made by S. M. SUBRAMANIAM, J.,]

The present contempt petition has been instituted to punish the respondents for their wilful disobedience of the order dated 27.06.2025 passed in W.P.No.23255 of 2024.

2. The above writ petition was filed by the petitioner seeking the removal of encroachment on the pathway land in S.F.No.233/7E, Keelapuliyur Village (South), Kunnam Taluk, Perambalur District. This Court passed a final order on 27.06.2025, directing the authorities to conduct a survey and clarifying that if it is patta land, no action needs to be taken, however, if it is public land, then the encroachment should be removed.

3. With reference to the said order, the learned Special Government Pleader would submit that the Tahsildar, Kunnam Taluk, conducted a survey and found that the land in S.No.233/7E is patta land standing in the name of Selvarasu and others under Patta No.1317. Therefore, the revenue authorities have no authority to initiate eviction proceedings under the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act, 1905. If any civil dispute exists between the parties, the petitioner or any other aggrieved person is at liberty to approach the appropriate Civil Court for the purpose of establishing their rights.

4. With the above observations, the present Contempt Petition stands closed.