Registered title documents obviate possession verification for patta issuance absent private disputes.

The petitioner sought a computerized patta for property at No. 1, Reddy Street, Virugambakkam, which her husband had purchased by registered Sale Deed No. 2921/1967.

After his death, she remained in possession, and a temporary (thoraya) patta was issued in her name on 27 September 2013.

The Tahsildar rejected her request on 14 August 2026, stating that the property was vacant.

The petitioner challenged that order under Article 226, alleging that it had been passed without a hearing and without considering the Sale Deed or temporary patta.

1. Whether the Tahsildar’s rejection of the petitioner’s request for computerized patta was valid, given the registered Sale Deed and temporary patta

2. Whether the Tahsildar had authority to decide the request, or whether it fell to the Special Tahsildar, Natham Settlement Unit IV

The Court considered the petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

It stated that where a patta claim rests solely on possessory rights, actual physical possession must be verified; however, where a registered Sale Deed and an official temporary patta are available, the authority must consider those documents, and further verification of possession is unnecessary in the absence of a dispute between private parties.

The Court also held that the competent authority to consider this request was the Special Tahsildar, Natham Settlement Unit IV.

The Court found that the petitioner’s husband had purchased the property by a registered Sale Deed and that a temporary patta had subsequently been issued to the petitioner.

The Tahsildar rejected the application solely because the land was vacant, without properly considering those documents.

The Court held that this approach failed to apply the relevant documentary evidence and that the Tahsildar had acted without jurisdiction, as the Special Tahsildar was the competent authority.

The writ petition was disposed of without costs; the connected applications were disposed of as stated in the order.