Revenue Authorities Must Survey and Demarcate Land After Notice, With Police Assistance If Required

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the Tahsildar to survey and demarcate land measuring 3.12½ acres in Survey No. 427/1 at Mallikuttai Village, Karimangalam Taluk, based on her online application dated 2 September 2026, with police assistance.

She alleged that the application had not been considered by the authorities.

The Government Advocate submitted that it would be considered and disposed of within a time fixed by the Court.

Whether the authorities should be directed to consider the petitioner’s application and survey and demarcate the subject property.

Whether police assistance should be provided for the survey if required.

The Court acted under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, exercising its writ jurisdiction to direct public authorities to consider an application and perform the requested administrative task within a specified period.

It required prior notice to the petitioner, private respondents, and any other concerned parties before the survey.

The Court did not cite any specific statute or precedent.

It also stated that disputes concerning possession must be resolved through a suit before the competent Civil Court.

In light of the limited relief sought and the respondents’ submission that the application would be considered, the Court directed the Tahsildar and Taluk Head Surveyor to consider the application and conduct the survey and demarcation within six weeks of receiving the order, after giving prior notice to all concerned.

It left any question of possession to the Civil Court and made police assistance conditional on a request from the surveying authorities.

If those authorities request police protection, the jurisdictional police must provide adequate assistance.

The Court expressed no opinion on the merits and clarified that possession disputes must be brought before the competent Civil Court.

No costs were ordered.