Madras HC Directs Tahsildar To Issues “No Caste No Religion” Certificate To Cine Actor R. Partibhan [Read Order]

Chennai: The Madras High Court has directed the Tahsildar, Sholinganallur, to issue a “No Caste No Religion” certificate to eminent cine actor and filmmaker Radhakrishnan Parthiban, holding that the application submitted by him could not remain unattended.

The direction was issued by Justice M. Dhandapani on 20.04.2026 in WP No. 14806 of 2026.

The petitioner, Radhakrishnan Parthiban, stated that he holds no belief with regard to religion or community. Accordingly, he had submitted an application on 20.03.2026 to the 4th respondent, namely, the Tahsildar, Velachery, seeking issuance of a “No Caste No Religion” certificate.

The said application was subsequently transferred by the 4th respondent to the 3rd respondent, namely, the Tahsildar, Sholinganallur, on jurisdictional grounds. However, no action was taken on the application even thereafter, which compelled the petitioner to approach the High Court by way of the present writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, M/s. R. Ganesan, drew the attention of the Court to the order dated 10.06.2025 passed by the Hon’ble Division Bench of the Madras High Court in W.A. No. 401 of 2025, wherein a direction had been issued to the concerned Tahsildar to issue a “No Caste No Religion” certificate within a period of one month. Relying on the said precedent, the learned counsel urged the Court to issue a similar direction to the 3rd respondent in the present case.

The learned Government Advocate, Mr. R. Murthi, appearing for all four respondents, submitted that a similar certificate had already been issued by the Tahsildar, Tirupattur, on 05.02.2019, and that the 3rd respondent would pass an appropriate order in favour of the petitioner on or before 29.04.2026.

Taking note of the aforesaid submissions and in view of the order of the Division Bench in W.A. No. 401 of 2025 dated 10.06.2025, the Court directed the Tahsildar, Sholinganallur, to issue the “No Caste No Religion” certificate to the petitioner on or before 29.04.2026.

The writ petition was accordingly disposed of with no order as to costs, and the matter was listed for reporting compliance on 29.04.2026.

Case Title: Radhakrishnan Parthiban vs. The District Collector & Others

[Read Order]