R.Gopal (Senior Citizen), v. The Chief Secretary To Government,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN R.Gopal (Senior Citizen), S/o.Ramalingam, Social Worker and Ground Water Protector, No.4, 2nd Cross, Tagore Nagar, VTC Lawspet P.O, Puducherry 605009 Petitioner Vs 1.The Chief Secretary to Government, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry 605 001.

2.The Secretary to Government (Public Works), Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry 605 001 3.The District Collector, Puducherry 605 009 4.The Executive Engineer, Irrigation Division, Public Works Department, Puducherry 605 001

5.The Commissioner, Oulgaret Municipality, Puducherry 605005 Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation dated 06.11.2025 and to restore the traditional water body Vannaan Madu in Lawspet, Puducherry to its full original extent as per the Revenue Records and FMB by removing all encroachments and illegal constructions therein within the time limit as fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

For Petitioner:

Mr.P.Suresh (through Video Conferencing) For Respondents:

Mr.V.Vasanthakumar Additional Government Pleader (Puducherry)

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard.

2. This public interest litigation has been filed raising an issue that East Coast Road, which was developed and in operation for almost last three decades includes a part of waterbody.

3. The East Coast Road has been constructed long back and is in operation and use for almost three decades. It appears that the petitioner all of a sudden rose from slumber. The petition appears to be frivolous.

4. The writ petition is dismissed with costs of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) payable by the petitioner to the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority within a period of one month from today.

(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 27.02.2026 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No bbr

To:

1.The Chief Secretary to Government, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry 605 001.

2.The Secretary to Government (Public Works), Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry 605 001 3.The District Collector, Puducherry 605 009 4.The Executive Engineer, Irrigation Division, Public Works Department, Puducherry 605 001 5.The Commissioner, Oulgaret Municipality, Puducherry 605005

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.

bbr 27.02.2026