The Tamil Nadu Revenue Summonses Act, 1869
The Tamil Nadu Revenue Summonses Act, 1869, issued as Act 3 of 1869, received the assent of the Governor on 9 March 1869 and the Governor-General on 23 April 1869, and took effect on 1 June 1869. It authorises specified Revenue officers to summon people and require documents or other articles for inquiries connected with revenue administration. The supplied text includes later substitutions and additions made through adaptation and territorial extension laws.
What the law governs
The Tamil Nadu Revenue Summonses Act, 1869 gives Collectors, Sub-Collectors, Assistant Collectors, Deputy Collectors, Tahsildars and Deputy Tahsildars powers for investigations they are authorised to conduct. It may affect any property owner, buyer or other person whose evidence, documents or other articles are considered necessary in a revenue inquiry.
The law was originally known by a different short title. The supplied text records later changes connected with the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of Laws Order, 1969, territorial extensions and other laws.
Summoning people and records
The Tamil Nadu Revenue Summonses Act, 1869 allows the listed Revenue officers to:
- Summon any person whose evidence appears necessary for an authorised inquiry.
- Require a relevant document or other article that is in the possession or control of that person.
- Examine a summoned person on oath.
- Enforce attendance and require production of documents or other articles using the stated powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
A summons must be in writing and carry the signature and seal of the issuing officer. It must state the time and place for appearance and specify whether the person must give evidence, produce an item, or do both. Any required document or other article must be described with reasonable certainty.
Service and personal attendance
A summons under the Tamil Nadu Revenue Summonses Act, 1869 may be served personally. If the person cannot be found, it may be left with an adult family member residing with that person or affixed to the outer door or another conspicuous part of premises where the person last resided, carried on business or personally worked for gain.
A person summoned only to produce a document or other article does not have to attend personally if the item is produced through someone else. An officer may also dispense with personal appearance where sickness or infirmity prevents attendance, or where summoning the person may be improper because of rank or sex. A subordinate may then be directed to examine that person.
Rules and costs
The State Government may make rules covering the summons form, service fees where a party requests a summons, and allowances for witnesses. Rules must be published in the Port St. George Gazette and placed before both Houses of the Legislature. The supplied text does not state any actual fee or allowance amount.
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Common questions
Can a Tahsildar summon me for a revenue inquiry?
Yes. A Tahsildar may summon any person whose evidence appears necessary for an inquiry that the Tahsildar is authorised to conduct.
What information must a revenue summons contain?
It must be written, signed and sealed by the issuing officer. It must give the time and place, state whether evidence or production is required, and describe any required document or other article with reasonable certainty.
Must I attend personally if I am asked only to produce a document?
No. A person summoned only to produce a document or other article complies if the item is produced through another person.
How can the summons be served if I cannot be found?
It may be left with an adult family member residing with you. It may also be affixed to a conspicuous part of premises where you last resided, carried on business or personally worked for gain.
