Case Note & Summary
The petitioner filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent, the District Revenue Officer of Ramanathapuram, to dispose of a revision bearing number e.f.gp6/56949/2018. The revision had been pending since 2018. The petitioner's grievance was the inordinate delay in the disposal of the revision, which necessitated judicial intervention. The writ petition came up for hearing before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The counsel for the petitioner pressed for a direction for expeditious disposal. The Government Advocate appearing for the respondents informed the court that the revision had been taken up on the fourth of February, 2025, indicating that the matter was under active consideration. In light of the limited relief sought and the assurance that proceedings had commenced, the court found it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the first respondent to hear the revision and pass orders in accordance with law and on merits. The court directed that the order be passed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. No order as to costs was made. The decision underscores the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 226 to ensure that statutory authorities perform their duties without undue delay, thereby safeguarding the right to timely justice.
Headnote
A) Constitutional Law - Writ of Mandamus - Direction to Statutory Authority to Dispose Pending Revision - Constitution of India, Article 226 - The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus to direct the District Revenue Officer to dispose of a revision filed in 2018, which had been pending without disposal. The court, noting the limited relief sought and the Government Advocate's submission that the revision had been taken up on 04.02.2025, directed the first respondent to hear and dispose of the revision on merits within four weeks. Held, the writ petition is disposed of with a time-bound direction. (Paras 1-2)
Issue of Consideration
Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued to direct the first respondent to dispose of the revision pending since 2018?
Final Decision
Writ petition disposed of with direction to the first respondent to hear the revision and pass orders on merits within four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.
