BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.03.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Sundaramoorthi KN ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Trichirappalli District.

2. The District Revenue Officer, Trichirappalli District.

3. The District Registrar, Trichirappalli District.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Srirangam Revenue Division, Trichirappalli District.

5. The Revenue Tahsildar, Manapparai Taluk, Trichirappalli District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the fourth respondent to consider petitioner's representation dated 13.12.2021, seeking cancellation of the patta granted under the UDR Scheme for lands in Inamkovilpatti Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, (Survey Nos.1, 2/5, 5/2, 7/1, 13, 15/6, 64/2, 73/1 and 73/2), recognizing the historical classification as Pooja-Nibandhana lands, within time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.Vijayakalidass.M For Respondents : Mr.D.Gandhihraj Special Government Pleader

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the fourth respondent to consider petitioner's representation dated 13.12.2021, seeking cancellation of the patta granted under the UDR Scheme for lands in Inamkovilpatti Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, comprised in Survey Nos.1, 2/5, 5/2, 7/1, 13, 15/6, 64/2, 73/1 and 73/2), recognizing the historical classification as Pooja-Nibandhana lands, within time stipulated by this Court.

2. The contention of the petitioner is that he is a temple poojari performing “oru kaal pooja” services at Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple. According to the petitioner, the lands comprised in Survey Nos.1, 2/5, 5/2, 7/1, 13, 15/6, 64/2, 73/1 and 73/2 belong to the temple and were endowed for the purpose of conducting temple rituals and pooja services. During the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963, ryotwari patta was issued in favour of late R. Murugapillai. Subsequently, under the UDR Scheme, the fifth respondent granted pattas in respect of the aforesaid survey numbers in favour of individuals who were not performing pooja services in the temple. Thereafter, the above mentioned individuals started to sell the property to various person which belongs to the temple for the purpose of performing poojas. Aggrieved over the same, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 13.12.2021 seeking cancellation of the pattas granted under the UDR Scheme as well as the subsequent patta transfers. The said representation was taken on file in O.Mu.A5/4873/2021 dated 17.12.2021 and was thereafter forwarded to the Revenue Tahsildar, Manapparai, for necessary action. Subsequently, through proceedings in Na.Ka.No.A2/3049/2022 dated 02.06.2022, the matter was forwarded to the Zonal Deputy Tahsildar with a direction to conduct an enquiry and submit a report. Thereafter, on 18.10.2023, the Revenue Tahsildar, Manapparai, issued a notice directing the petitioner to appear in person for enquiry. Accordingly, the petitioner appeared on 03.11.2023 and submitted his representation. Since no further action was taken, the petitioner submitted a representation before the Chief Minister’s Cell. However, no action has been taken. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. The further contention of the petitioner is that the subject lands are temple service inam lands assigned to poojaris for rendering services to the temple. However, under the UDR Scheme, pattas had been erroneously granted in favour of several individuals who were not rendering pooja service. According to the petitioner, only persons performing service to the temple are entitled to service inam pattas and such lands cannot be alienated. However, without verifying whether the lands constituted service inam lands, pattas were allegedly issued under the UDR Scheme in fa