Madras High Court: In a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, a Single Judge Bench of Krishnan Ramasamy, J., noted allegations that local village panchayat leaders had passed illegal orders ostracising the petitioner’s family after she refused to allow a pathway through her land. The Court observed that such orders deprived the petitioner of access to water, groceries, worship, and social functions, thereby violating her fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court held that judicial intervention was necessary and directed the official respondents to conduct an independent enquiry within 12 weeks and, if illegality is found, to take legal action including filing an FIR.
The petitioner owned land at Billanakuppam Village. The dispute arose when the adjacent landowner demanded a pathway through the petitioner’s land, which she refused. The matter was taken before local Katta Panchayat leaders, who passed illegal orders including ostracising the petitioner’s family, prohibiting them from accessing public water sources, purchasing groceries, worshipping, and participating in social functions. Severe fines were imposed for violations of these orders.
The petitioner made a representation dated 30 July 2023 to the official respondents seeking action, but no steps were taken. The petitioner argued that the situation continues and requires immediate intervention. However, the respondents contended that an enquiry had already been conducted by the Regional Divisional Officer, who found that no such actions had occurred.
The Court direcetd Respondents 1 and 2 to conduct an independent enquiryin this regard and ensure that no injustice was caused to the petitioner by violating her fundamental rights as contemplated under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court ordered that this exercise shall be completed within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and in the event, the official respondents found any illegality committed by Respondents 4 to 6 as alleged by the petitioner, immediately the official respondents shall take legal action, including filing an FIR against Respondents 4 to 6.
With these directions, the Court disposed of the writ petition without costs.
[P. Revathi v. Collector, WP No. 32501 of 2023, decided on 24-3-2026]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the Petitioner: Gnanavel for N. Stalin
For the State: P. Ganesan, R. Venkatesa Perumal, I. Siddiq for M/s Dass and Viswa Associates
