Vivekanandhan v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 05.03.2026 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Vivekanandhan S/o. Ramalingam Therkku Kaadu Chinnammayakan Palayam Vazhapadi, Salem -636 104.
Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Secretary Department of Law and Justice Union of India, 4th Floor, A-Wing Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi-110 001.
2. The Secretary The Department of Law Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai-600 009.
3. The Secretary Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat Fort. St. George, Chennai-600 009 Respondent(s)
Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd and 3rd Respondents to consider the Representation dated 27.10.2025 sent by the petitioner to amend the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as per Entry 17B, List III of Seventh Schedule by removing the Bengal Fox from Schedule I of the Act by using the legislative power to restore the centuries old belief, tradition culture and customary religious practice of celebrating "Vanga Nari Pongal" (Bengal Fox Pongal) by the People of Chinnama Naickenpalayam Panchayat, Vazhapadi Taluk, Salem District. For Petitioner(s):
M/s. B.Janakiram For Respondent(s):
Dr.G.Babu Senior Panel Counsel for R1 M/s. Akila Rajendran Government Advocate for R2 & R3
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) After arguing for sometime, learned counsel for petitioner seeks to withdraw the petition on the statement that petitioner intends to challenge some of the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as, it places undue restriction on centuries old belief, tradition, culture and customary religious practice followed by agriculturists.
2. With liberty, petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.
(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 05.03.2026 Index :
Yes/No Yes/No kpl To
1. The Secretary Department of Law and Justice Union of India, 4th Floor, A-Wing Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi-110 001.
2. The Secretary The Department of Law Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai-600 009.
3. The Secretary Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat Fort. St. George, Chennai-600 009
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.
(kpl) 05.03.2026