C.Prakasam v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.No.10681 of 2022 1 C.Prakasam 2 S.Periyasamy 3 P.Chinnusamy 4 S.Nanjappan 5 P.Chendrayan 6 V.Marimuthu 7 N.Chinnusamy ... Petitioners Vs.

1 The District Collector, Salem District, Salem.

2 The Block Development Officer, Sankari Panchayat Union, Sankari, Salem District.

3 The Pullagoundenpatti Agraharam Village Panchayat rep. by its President, Pullagoundenpatti Village, Sankari Taluk, Salem District.

... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to 1/6

issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned resolution No.379/21-22 dated 14.02.2022 passed by the third respondent, quash the same and consequently forbear the respondents from interfering with the right of the petitioners to draw water through the underground pipelines laid as per G.O. Ms.No.70 dated 02.03.2020 passed by the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Chennai and NOC dated 24.09.2020 granted by the second respondent.

For Petitioners : Ms.R.Renukadevi For Respondents : Mr.L.Gokulraj for R1, R2 Government Counsel R3 - No Appearance

O R D E R

The petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the resolution No.379/21-22 dated 14.02.2022 passed by the third respondent, quash the same and consequently forbear the respondents from interfering with the right of the petitioners to draw water through the underground pipelines laid as per G.O. Ms.No.70 dated 02.03.2020 passed by the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Chennai and NOC dated 24.09.2020 granted by the second respondent.

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2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners filed this writ petition seeking to quash resolution No.379/21-22 dated 14.02.2022 passed by the third respondent and to consequently forbear the respondents from interfering with the right of the petitioners to draw water through the underground pipelines laid as per G.O. Ms.No.70 dated 02.03.2020, however, subsequently the petitioners filed W.P.No.953 of 2024 seeking direction to the respondents to provide necessary police protection to the petitioners to re-lay the pipelines in S.F. No. 71/2 of Pullagoundanpatti Agraharam Village, Sankari Taluk and to lay the pipelines in other survey numbers as indicated in the Lift Irrigation Scheme in compliance with G.O.Ms.No. 70 dated 02.03.

2020 issued by the first respondent, NOCs and track rent permissions granted by the respondents 2 to 8 by considering the petitioners' representations dated 22.09.2023, 07.12.2023, 18.12.2023 and 21.12.2023 and this Court vide order dated 26.03.2025 allowed the said writ petition and directed the ninth respondent therein to provide adequate police protection to the petitioners while relaying the pipe line in the land comprised in S.F. No.

order in G.O.Ms.No.70 PWD dated 02.03.2020 and challenging the same one S.P.Thangaraju/ respondent no.20 in the said writ petition filed S.L.P.(C) No.9853 of 2025 and the said SLP was disposed of with the observation that 'we are not inclined to interfere with the direction of providing police protection. However, we are informed that the very permission which has been granted to the original writ petitioners for the purpose of laying the pipeline is a subject matter of challenge. Let that challenge be looked into by the High Court in accordance with law at the earliest.' Hence, this Court may close this writ petition. 3.Recording the submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, this writ petition is closed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is also closed. 17.06.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No 4/6

To 1 The District Collector, Salem District, Salem.

2 The Block Development Officer, Sankari Panchayat Union, Sankari, Salem District.

3 The Pullagoundenpatti Agraharam Village Panchayat rep. by its President, Pullagoundenpatti Village, Sankari Taluk, Salem District.

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M.DHANDAPANI,J.

pri And W.M.P.No.10681 of 2022 17.06.2026 6/6