R.Gowthaman v. The District Collector

2026:MHC:117

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05-01-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN

1. R.Gowthaman Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

2.The Tahsildar Chidambram Taluk, Chidambaram -608001 3.The Junior Engineer (WRO) Public Works Department, Kansahib Canal Section, Chidambaram -608001 Respondent(s) PRAYER To call for the records relating to the impugned notice issued by the 3 rd Respondent dated 17.12.2025 and quash the same and direct the 1st Respondent to provide basic amenities, such as Drinking Water, Electricity and approach road to the free house sites and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.Anandakumar For Respondent(s): Mr.T.Arun Kumar, 1 / 5

Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by S.M.Subramaniam J.) The notice issued by the Public Works Department, Kansagip Canal Chidhambaram, is under challenge in the present writ petition.

2. Petitioner is an encroacher in water body. Petitioner along with other four encroachers filed writ petitions in WP.No.15058, 15103, 15108, 15112 and 15115 of 2025, and the Division Bench of this Court passed final order on 02.06.2025, granting time to the petitioners to vacate the encroached water body within a period of three months i.e., on or before 31.10.2025.

3. It is not in dispute that alternate land has already been provided to the petitioner and other encroachers in water body.

4. Learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that after receiving necessary document granting alternate land to the encroachers, the present writ petition is filed and therefore, liable to be rejected.

5. Admittedly, encroachments are identified in water body, and the encroachers have been provided with alternate land by the competent authorities. Instead of occupying the alternate land, petitioner has filed writ 2 / 5

petition, challenging the notice issued by the competent authority.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that further time may be granted to vacate.

7. Providing of alternate land itself is a concession already shown by the Government, and the Court also granted time on an earlier occasion. Thus, petitioner is not entitled for any further leniency from the hands of this Court.

8. Consequently, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connection miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed. (S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J.)(C.KUMARAPPAN J.) 05-01-2026 gd Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes 3 / 5

To 1.The District Collector Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

2.The Tahsildar Chidambram Taluk, Chidambaram -608001 3.The Junior Gngineer (WRO) Public Works Department, Kansahib Canal Section, Chidambaram -608001 4 / 5

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J.

AND C.KUMARAPPAN J.

gd 05-01-2026 5 / 5