Mutharasu v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 12-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE N. MALA Writ Petition No. 15429 of 2026 Mutharasu ..Petitioner Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2. The District Collector, Villupuram, Villupuram District.-605 602.
3. Rural Development Agency/ Additional Commissioner of Grama Panchayat, Villupuram, Villupuram District-605 602
4. Assistant Director of Grama Panchayat Villupuram, Villupuram District-605 602
5. The Block Development Officer, Vallam,Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District-604 206.
6. The Village President Nangilikondan Village,
Servilagam Panchayat, Vallam Union, Villupuram District-604 206 ..Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 5th respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.12.2025 and further forbear the respondents from proceeding with or continuing any construction of road or any other structure over the lake, its canals, surplus course or water spread area in respect of the Government land which is classified as Lake and Tharisu measuring an extent of 69 acres, comprised in Survey Nos. 21/1 to 21/8A, 22, 25/6 (Lake) and 25/10 (Tharisu), situated at Nangilikondan Village, Villupuram District.
For Petitioner:
Mr..S.Senthil Vadivu For Respondents:
Mrs.E.Ranganayaki, Additional Government Pleader For R1 to 6
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by Dr.G.Jayachandran J.) A Public Interest Litigation was filed seeking to forbear the authorities from constructing a road over the lake comprised in Survey Nos. 21/1 to 21/8A, 22, 25/6 (Lake) and 25/10 (Tharisu), situated at Nangilikondan Village, Villupuram District. The petitioner had submitted a representation dated 17.12.2025 to the authorities requesting them to drop the proposal for construction of the road across the water body.
2.
On notice, the Block Development Officer, Vallam Panchayat Union, representing the District Collector, Villupuram, filed a counter affidavit stating that, on receipt of representation from the writ petitioner as well as members of the general public alleging that the proposed road construction may cause environmental degradation and adversely affect the water body, the authorities deemed it appropriate to keep the project in abeyance until the report of the enquiry initiated in R.O.C. No.1818/25 dated 13.04.2026 is received. 3.
In view of the aforesaid undertaking given by the authorities through the counter affidavit, this Writ Petition (Public Interest Litigation) is disposed of, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach this Court afresh if, after receipt of the enquiry report, the authorities take any decision that may adversely affect or disturb the water body. No costs. (Dr.G.J.,J.) (N.M.,J.) 12-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order rpl To
1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2. The District Collector, Villupuram, Villupuram District.-605 602.
3. Rural Development Agency/ Additional Commissioner of Grama Panchayat, Villupuram, Villupuram District-605 602
4. Assistant Director of Grama Panchayat Villupuram, Villupuram District-605 602
5. The Block Development Officer, Vallam,Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District-604 206.
6. The Village President Nangilikondan Village, Servilagam Panchayat, Vallam Union, Villupuram District-604 206
DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN J.
and N.MALA J.
rpl Writ Petition No. 15429 of 2026 12-06-2026