Collector must ensure time-bound execution of demarcation orders where subordinate revenue officials fail to comply.

The petitioners are the recorded Bhumiswami of land bearing Khasra No. 373/1, situated in Village Kusmi, District Balrampur-Ramanujganj

Seeking to avoid boundary disputes, they applied for land demarcation before the Tahsildar, Kusmi.

On 05.12.2025, the Tahsildar issued an order directing the Revenue Inspector and Patwari to conduct the demarcation and submit a report by 24.12.2025

Despite the order and subsequent representations submitted by the petitioners to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) on 10.02.2026 and the Collector on 23.02.2026, the revenue authorities failed to execute the demarcation

The petitioners approached the High Court seeking a writ of mandamus to compel compliance with the Tahsildar’s administrative order

Whether the failure of subordinate revenue officials to execute a demarcation order passed by a competent authority warrants judicial intervention under Article 226 of the Constitution of India

The court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of mandamus for the enforcement of administrative duties

The court relied on the principle of administrative accountability, emphasizing that subordinate officers are legally obligated to comply with the lawful orders of superior revenue authorities regarding land demarcation and the disposal of citizen representations

The Court observed a recurring and unacceptable trend where subordinate revenue officers and authorities fail to comply with orders issued by the Tahsildar

It noted that despite a clear directive dated 05.12.2025 and subsequent formal representations to the SDO and the Collector, the demarcation proceedings remained stalled and the representations remained undecided

The Court characterized this lack of compliance as conduct that "is not appreciated"

By connecting the petitioners' undisputed title (Bhumiswami rights) and the existing administrative order to the authorities' inaction, the Court determined that a time-bound judicial direction was necessary to ensure the rule of law and the fulfillment of statutory duties by the Revenue Department

The Court further issued a specific direction to the Collector to ensure that the concerned Revenue Authorities complete the demarcation of the subject land within 30 days and strictly comply with the Tahsildar’s order dated 05.12.2025

The State counsel was directed to immediately apprise the concerned authorities of the court's order