K.Durai v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI K.Durai, S/o.Kasi Reddy, 3/26, Perumal Koil Street, Bandikavanoor, Thiruvallur District-600 067
...Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The District Collector, Thiruvallur District, Thiruvallur.
2. The Executive Engineer (Water Resources) Arani River Division, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer Ponneri Division, Ponneri, Thiruvallur District.
4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Ponneri, Thiruvallur District.
5. H.Mohankumar, S/o.Harigopal No.1/1290, Elumalai Naicker Street, Gandhi Nagarm, Attanthangal,
Red Hills, Chennai-600 052
...Respondent(s)
PETITION under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 herein to conduct an enquiry in this regard and to stay the above illegal mines which is being misused by the local rowdy elements for an illegal advantage by utilizing the proceedings of the authorities without following the norms and principles with reference to petitioner's representation dated 09.3.2026 within the stipulated period prescribed by this Court.
For Petitioner:
Mr.K.Selvakumar For Respondents 1 to 4:
Mr.E.Vijay Anand, AGP
ORDER
This is a petition filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 4 to consider his representation dated 09.3.2026 to conduct an enquiry and stay the illegal mines, which are being misused by the local rowdy elements by utilizing the proceedings of the authorities
without following the norms and principles.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader accepting notice for respondents 1 to 4.
3. The case of the petitioner is as follows:
(i) The petitioner claims to be a resident of Bandikavanoor Village, Thiruvallur District. Vide proceedings dated 26.9.2025, the first respondent granted permission to the fifth respondent for ordinary earth quarry in the village lake totalling to 19,890 cubic meters after imposing various conditions. One such condition imposed is that the fifth respondent should do the quarrying operations without causing any damage to the boundaries of the lake and the pathway of agricultural lands with 50 meter distance.
(ii) In the said proceedings of the first respondent, it was stated that the sand quarry was permitted by the first respondent based on the wishes of the villagers as they had given no objection for the grant of contract. But, according to the petitioner, without passing any such resolution, the
ex-presidents of the village panchayat obtained the signatures of people, who were present for 100 days' project work and misrepresented before the Authorities that the village people had given their consent for sand quarrying.
(iii) Though the sand quarrying was allowed totalling to 19,890 cubic meter, quarrying is being undertaken by the fifth respondent even in the other places, for which, no permission was granted by the first respondent. Without observing the guidelines given by the first respondent in the proceedings dated 26.9.2025, the boundaries of the lake and the agricultural lands are being utilized illegally by the fifth respondent for quarrying. Expressing all these, the petitioner sent a representation dated 09.3.2026 to respondents 1 to 3 for redressal. As it did not evoke any response, the petitioner is before this Court.
4. When the matter is taken up for admission, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 4 has produced a communication dated 07.4.2026 sent by the Deputy Director, Geology & Mining, Tiruvallur District to the Government Pleader, High
Court, Madras High Court stating that vide proceedings of the first respondent dated 28.1.2026, the fifth respondent was permitted to quarry sand for a period of 50 days from 23.2.2026 to 13.4.2026, that it was also communicated to the petitioner vide letter dated 02.4.2026, that on receipt of another representation dated 14.3.2026 from one Mr.C.Venkatapathy, the second respondent was requested to inspect the area involved, demarcate the length, breadth and depth in the field measurement book and furnish a detailed report after specifying the quantum of mineral excavated by the fifth respondent from the area involved, that subsequently, the quarry permission was stopped from 27.3.2026, that the report of the second respondent is awaited and that on receipt of such a report, in case of any violation, appropriate action will be initiated.
5. In view of the above, this Court is of the considered view that the representation of the petitioner dated 09.3.2026 had been considered and orders were passed and that there is nothing more to adjudicate in this writ petition.
6. This writ petition is disposed of as no further orders are necessary. No costs.
07-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To
1. The District Collector, Thiruvallur District, Thiruvallur.
2. The Executive Engineer (Water Resources) Arani River Division, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005
3. The Revenue Divisional officer Ponneri Division, Ponneri, Thiruvallur District.
4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Ponneri Thiruvallur District.
RLI
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
RLI 07-04-2026