Patchaiyammal v. The District Collector,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.02.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR and W.M.P.Nos.6299 & 6300 of 2020 Patchaiyammal ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, Thiruvannamalai District, Thiruvannamalai

2. The District Revenue Officer, Thiruvannamalai District, Thiruvannamalai

3. The Tasildhar, Chengam Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District

4. The District Forest Officer, Thiruvannamalai South Division, No.122, Chinnakadai Street, Thiruvannamalai District-606 601

5. The Forest Range Officer, Chengam Forest Range Office, Thiruvannamalai District.

... Respondents 1/5

Prayer :- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified, to call for the records relating to the impugned order dated 06.01.2020 issued by the 5th respondent and quash the same.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Kathiresan For Respondents : Mr.A.Selvendran, Special Government Pleader (for R1 to R3);

Mr.T.Seenivasan, Special Government Pleader (Forest), (for R4 & R5).

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam J.) The final notice for removal of encroachment under Section 68A of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, is under challenge in the present writ proceedings. The respondents, during field inspections, identified encroachments in the forest land. Thus, a notice for removal of encroachment was issued, which came to be challenged in the present writ proceedings.

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2. The petitioner is at liberty to submit her objections, if any, within a period of 10 days from today. On receipt of any such objections, the respondents shall look into the same and thereafter, proceed with the removal of encroachment, if any, by following the procedures.

3. The respondents are directed to complete the said exercise of removal of encroachment, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed off. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (S.M.S.J.,) (K.R.S.J.,) 26.02.2024 Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Speaking order/Non-Speaking order (sha) 3/5

To

1. The District Collector, Thiruvannamalai District, Thiruvannamalai

2. The District Revenue Officer, Thiruvannamalai District, Thiruvannamalai

3. The Tasildhar, Chengam Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District

4. The District Forest Officer, Thiruvannamalai South Division, No.122, Chinnakadai Street, Thiruvannamalai District-606 601

5. The Forest Range Officer, Chengam Forest Range Office, Thiruvannamalai District.

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S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

and K.RAJASEKAR, J.

(sha) 26.02.2024 5/5