Govindaraj v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.Nos. 8281 & 8282 of 2026 Govindaraj ..Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Cuddalore District.

2. The Panchayat President, Orangur Village, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District.

3. The Tahsildhar Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District.

4. Ramasamy ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the proceedings of the District Collector, Cuddalore District in Na.Ka.No.B8. 413/100/2025 dated 30.01.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to forbear from permitting any construction of temple at K.Gudikkadu, Orangur Village, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District. For Petitioner:

Mr.T.Dharani For Respondents:

Mr.S.Senthil Murugan Special Government Pleader to R1 to R3

ORDER

This writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order in Na.Ka.No.B8. 413/100/2025 dated 30.01.2026.

2. By the said order, the District Collector, upon being directed by this Court in the earlier writ petition, passed an order stating that the fourth respondent in land bearing Survey No.538/12B measuring 0.16.30 ares can put up the construction of Sri Varadharaja Perumal Koil without causing any disturbance to the other villagers and that too after obtaining permissions from the authorities for putting up the construction. Therefore, the petitioner is challenging the same.

3. The contention of the petitioner is that the District Collector had exercised his authority mechanically and had not duly applied his mind and it will create a law and order problem.

4. The rule of law prevails in this country and merely because some people can create a law and order problem, orders cannot be passed otherwise than in accordance with law. As a matter of fact, the permission which is sought for is only for putting up the temple and not for anything else. Secondly, it is not put up in any public land but in the private land belonging to the fourth

respondent. If that is objected to by other persons, action should be taken to curb the law and order problem and not to stop the construction of the temple. I see that the exercise of power is only as per due application of mind and there is nothing for this Court to interfere with the same.

5. Accordingly, finding no merits, the writ petition stands dismissed. Consequently, connected W.M.P.No.8281 of 2026 is ordered and W.M.P.No.8282 of 2026 is closed. No costs.

25-02-2026 NSL To

1. The District Collector, Cuddalore District.

2. The Panchayat President, Orangur Village, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District.

3. The Tahsildhar Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

NSL 25-02-2026