V.R.Ranganathan, vs The District Collector,

2026:MHC:4460
WP No. 4743 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 02-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM
AND
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.RAJESH VIVEKANANTHAN
WP No. 4743 of 2026
CNR: {HCMA010090872026}
V.R.Ranganathan
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The District Collector,
O/o.The District Collector, Coimbatore.
2. The Sub Collector,
O/o.The Sub Collector, Pollachi.
3. The Tahsildar,
O/o.The Tahsildar, Kinathukadavu,
Kovai Pollachi Main Road, Pollachi 642
109.
4. The Block Development Officer,
O/oThe Block Development Officer,
Vadachittur Block.
5. The Revenue Inspector,
Vadachittur, Coimbatore.
6. The Village Administrative Officer,
Andi Palayam, Kinathukadavur Taluk,
Coimbatore.
7. K.Patteeswaran
..Respondent(s)
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2026:MHC:4460
WP No. 4743 of 2026
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India issuing
writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the record pertaining to the
impugned order in Na.Ka.No.137 /2025 / A3 dated 25/09/2025 passed
nd
by the 2 respondent, quash the same as illegal, and direct the
Respondents to remove the unauthorized construction of the water
sump blocking the petitioners entrance to his land in Natham Survey
No.626 /5 at Vanchipalayam, Aandipalayam Village, Kinathukadavu
Taluk, Coimbatore District, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court,
and restore the pathway to its original status.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.Swarnavel
For Respondent(s): Ms.R.K.Varshini
Government Advocate For R 1-6
Mr.N.Balamuralikrishnan
For Mr.Vikram Kumar For R-7
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.Subramaniam J.)
The present writ petition has been instituted challenging the order
dated 25.09.2025 passed by the Sub-Collector.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that abutting
front portion of his property, water tank has been constructed, causing
obstruction for ingress and egress to his property.
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2026:MHC:4460
WP No. 4743 of 2026
th
3. However, learned counsel for the 17 respondent would submit
that allegations raised by the petitioner are incorrect, and District
Collector conducted detailed enquiry and passed a speaking order vide
proceedings in Na.Ka.No.E1815610/2024/Aa4, dated 15.12.2025
regularising the public purpose water tank constructed in the land is
classified as Village Natham land.
4. Natham land can be used for public purposes at the first
instance. If it is not been used for public purpose, such Natham land can
be assigned to homeless poor persons, to an extent of three cents for
construction of dwelling houses. At the outset, Natham lands are to be
regulated by the Government in accordance with Revenue Standing
Order 21. Occupants of the Natham land without assignments are to be
treated as encroachers and such encroachments are to be removed by
following the procedures as contemplated under the Tamil Nadu Land
Encroachment Act, 1905.
5. In the present case, District Collector conducted enquiry and
found that water tank has been constructed for public purpose in
Natham land and that being the factum, the present writ petition
challenging the order passed by the Sub-Collector deserves no further
consideration. If at all any grievance exists to the petitioner, he is at
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2026:MHC:4460
WP No. 4743 of 2026
liberty to approach the District Collector for redressal of the matter in the
manner known to law.
6. With these observations, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs.
Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed.
(S.M.S.,J.) (R.R.V.,J.)
02-11-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
GD
To
1. The District Collector,
O/o.The District Collector, Coimbatore.
2. The Sub Collector,
O/o.The Sub Collector, Pollachi.
3. The Tahsildar,
O/o.The Tahsildar, Kinathukadavu,
Kovai Pollachi Main Road, Pollachi 642
109.
4. The Block Development Officer,
O/oThe Block Development Officer,
Vadachittur Block.
5. The Revenue Inspector,
Vadachittur, Coimbatore.
6. The Village Administrative Officer,
Andi Palayam, Kinathukadavur Taluk,
Coimbatore.
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2026:MHC:4460
WP No. 4743 of 2026
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
AND
R.RAJESH VIVEKANANTHAN, J.
GD
WP No. 4743 of 2026
02-11-2026
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