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Madras High CourtWP/13026/2026disposed of with direction

V.Palaniammal v. The District Collector

2026-04-02Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani8 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI V.Palaniammal

...Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The District Collector Coimbatore District Coimbatore 641018.

2. The Assistant Director Department of Geology & Mining Collectorate, Coimbatore 641018.

...Respondent(s)

PETITION under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take appropriate actions against persons wilfully denying the pathway/ approach road access to the quarry site at S.F.No.194 (Part), Mannur Village, Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District awarded to the petitioner and

consequently extend the time limit for the payment of the balance bid amount of Rs.2,30,30,000/- (Rupees Two Crore thirty lakhs thirty thousand only) until the approach road is provided by the respondents by considering the petitioner's representation dated 20.3.2026. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.G.Vignesh For Respondent(s):

Mr.Stalin Abimanyu, AGP

ORDER

This is a petition filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the respondents to consider her representation dated 20.3.2026 for taking appropriate action against persons wilfully denying the pathway/approach road access to the quarry that was awarded to the petitioner at S.F.No.194 (Part), Mannur Village, Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District and consequently to extend the time limit for payment of the balance bid amount of Rs.2,30,30,000/- till the approach road is provided by the respondents.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader accepting notice for the respondents.

3. The case of the petitioner is as follows:

(i) The petitioner was the successful bidder in the e-tender-cumauction conducted by the first respondent on 03.3.2026 for the grant of lease for quarrying rough stones in a total of eight quarry sites, which included the Government poramboke land at S.F.No.194 (Part) over an extent of 2.82.5 hectares situated at Mannur Village, Pollachi Taluk. (ii) The petitioner quoted the amount of Rs.2,67,00,000/- and remitted initial 10% of the bid amount namely Rs.26,70,000/-. She also produced the payment receipt in the office of the second respondent. For the purpose of getting statutory clearances, when the petitioner visited the quarry site, it came to her notice that the quarry site is landlocked and that the land comprised in S.F.No.192/6 was earlier used as an access to the quarry site during the previous quarrying operations. (iii) When the petitioner approached the owner of the said S.F.No.192/6, she was informed that the land in the said S.No.192/6 was

already leased out to one of the unsuccessful bidders and the access was denied to her. When the petitioner approached the owners of the adjoining lands with a request to purchase or rent or lease the land for forming an approach road, they were also not willing to help the petitioner. Later, it came to light that the unsuccessful bidders and some private persons colluded and denied access to the petitioner. (iv) The petitioner received a notice dated 10.3.2026 from the second respondent directing her to deposit the balance bid amount of Rs.2,30,30,000/- on or before 10.4.2026 and by making it clear that if the petitioner fails to remit the amount within the stipulated time, the bid security to the tune of Rs.10 lakhs and the initial payment to the tune of Rs.

26,70,000/- would be forfeited under Rule 8(16)(ii)(H) of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959. Though the petitioner arranged for funds, she will not be able to commence the quarry operations without the approach road. In the prevailing circumstances, if the petitioner is compelled to make such a payment without resolving the issue regarding the approach road, the petitioner will be subjected to undue hardship.

(v) Expressing her grievance, the petitioner sent a representation dated 20.3.2026 to the respondents seeking to take appropriate action against the persons, who are wilfully obstructing and denying access to the quarry site and to extend the time for payment of the balance bid amount to the tune of Rs.2,30,30,000/- till the respondents take appropriate action against the persons, who are wilfully obstructing the petitioner with a further request not to forfeit the initial bid amount till such time. As it did not evoke any response, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. The representation of the petitioner is dated 20.3.2026. However, since the second respondent is insisting to pay the balance bid amount, the petitioner has approached this Court.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to consider the said representation of the petitioner dated 20.3.2026 on merits and pass appropriate orders thereon

in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

02-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To

1. The District Collector Coimbatore District Coimbatore 641018.

2. The Assistant Director Department of Geology and Mining Collectorae, Coimbatore 641018.

RLI

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

RLI 02-04-2026