C.Natarajan v. The Government Of Tamilnadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN & W.M.P.Nos.7855 & 7856 of 2026 C.Natarajan S/o.Chinnakannan 4/64, Tank Street Chakkaramallur Village Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Government of Tamilnadu Rep by the Secretary to Government Department of Natural Resources (Geology and Mining) Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2. The District Collector Ranipet District Collectorate

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer Ranipet -632 403

4. The Executive Engineer Water Resources Department (WRD) Mining and Monitoring Division Villupuram -605602.

5. The Executive Engineer TWAD Board Rural Water supply (RWS)Division No.5, Arignar Anna Street Bharathi Nagar

6. The Assistant Director(General) Department of Geology and Mining 3rd Floor, A Block, Collectorate campus

7. The Assistant Director(Mines) Department of Geology and Mining 3rd Floor, A Block, Collectorate campus

8. The State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) 9th Floor, Metros CMRL Building Rathna Nagar, Nandanam Chennai-600 035.

9. The Tahsildar Arcot -632 503 Respondent(s) Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records

relating to the proceedings of the 2nd respondent in his office Ref.Na.Ka.No.119/2023(Mines) dated 02.01.2026, quash the same and forbear the respondents from quarrying sand in Palar River abutting Chakkaramallur Village, Arcot Taluk, Ranipet District from Puduppadi Village limit to Easiyanur Village limit.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.M.Tamil Thendran Arasu For Respondent(s): Mr.E.Vijay Anand Addl. Govt. Pleader for R1 to R7 & R9 Mr.V.Chandrasekaran for R8

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This petition has been filed challenging the permission granted to fourth respondent to undertake sand quarrying in Palar river abutting Chakkaramallur Village, Arcot Taluk, Ranipet District.

2. As the order passed by the Collector is appealable under Rule 36C of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, we are not inclined to examine the matter on merits. Petitioner may prefer an appeal before the competent authority.

3. Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim applications are closed. (MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 03.03.2026 Index :

Yes/No Yes/No kpl To

1. The Government of Tamilnadu Rep by the Secretary to Government Department of Natural Resources (Geology and Mining) Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2. The District Collector Ranipet District Collectorate

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer Ranipet -632 403

4. The Executive Engineer Water Resources Department (WRD) Mining and Monitoring Division Villupuram -605602.

5. The Executive Engineer TWAD Board Rural Water supply (RWS)Division No.5, Arignar Anna Street Bharathi Nagar

6. The Assistant Director(General) Department of Geology and Mining 3rd Floor, A Block, Collectorate campus

7. The Assistant Director(Mines) Department of Geology and Mining 3rd Floor, A Block, Collectorate campus

8. The State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) 9th Floor, Metros CMRL Building Rathna Nagar, Nandanam Chennai-600 035.

9. The Tahsildar Arcot -632 503

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

(kpl) 03.03.2026