K. Menaka v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA K. Menaka W/o. Rajasekar, No.5/2A, Mettu Kadu, S. Nattamangala Post,Puduchatram, Sendamangalam Taluk,Namakkal District.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The District Collector Collectorate, Namakkal District.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District.
3. The Assistant Director Geology and Mining, Namakkal District Collectorate Campus, Namakkal District.
4. The Tahsildar Tiruchengode, Namakkal District.
..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to conduct re-measurement of the area alleged to have been illegally mined in Survey No.36/2 situate at Marapparai Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, with proper demarcation and segregation from the adjoining Survey No.36/3 so as to determine the actual quantity of stones removed from Survey No.36/2 and
to take all consequential steps with respect to the levy of penalty, by considering the Petitioners representation dated 26.12.2025. For Petitioner(s):
Mr. S. Senthil For Respondent(s):
Mr.Stalin Abhimanyu, AGP
ORDER
The petition has been filed to direct the respondents to conduct remeasurement of the area alleged to have been illegally mined in Survey No.36/2 situate at Marapparai Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, with proper demarcation and segregation from the adjoining Survey No.36/3 so as to determine the actual quantity of stones removed from Survey No.36/2 and to take all consequential steps with respect to the levy of penalty, by considering the Petitioners representation dated 26.12.2025.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that the property is an ancestral property in which the family has been cultivating for several decades. During 2005, proceedings were initiated for illegal quarrying of rough stones and penalty was imposed under the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules. The petitioner would further submit that they had never indulged in any commercial quarrying activities and only when they obtained documents under RTI Act, they came to know that the measurements were wrongly made, thereby, inflating the quantity of alleged quarrying and consequential penalty. Therefore, the petitioner made several representations to the authorities requesting re-measurement and
verification. Since no final decision or action has been taken till date, the petitioner is before this Court.
3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
4. Considering the limited relief now sought for by the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 4th respondent to conduct re-measurement of the property which the petitioner has requested and submit a separate sketch with reference to S.No.36/2 situate at Marapparai Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District. In case, if the 4th respondent wants to measure the adjacent land in S.No.36/3, he shall proceed to do so and demarcate them and show their measurements and submit a report on the same. The 4th respondent shall take necessary assistance from the 3rd respondent to measure the area. The said exercise shall be completed by the 4th respondent within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 27-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssa
P.T.ASHA, J.
ssa To 1.The District Collector Collectorate, Namakkal District.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District.
3.The Assistant Director, Geology and Mining, Namakkal District Collectorate Campus, Namakkal District.
4.The Tahsildar Tiruchengode, Namakkal District.
27-02-2026