T.Muthusamy v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 14-08-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE N.MALA T.Muthusamy, S/o.Thandappa Gounder, 304/4, Perumal Kovil Street, Melapalayam Post, Ottaparai, Chennimalai, Erode District.
Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The District Collector, Erode District.
2.The Block Development Officer, Chennimalai, Erode District.
3.The Panchayat President, Ottaparai Village Panchayat, Chennimalai Block, Erode District.
Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a direction in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, 1/6
directing the respondents 2 and 3 herein to extend the drinking water connection to the house of the petitioner herein existing at 304/4 (SF.No.173/2) Perumal Kovil Street, Melapalayam Post,Ottaparai, Chennimalai, Erode District within a reasonable period as fixed by this Honble Court and pass such further orders. For Petitioner:
Mr.R.Nalliyappan For Respondents:
M/s.R.L.Karthika, Government Advocate For R1 Mr.Stalin Abimanyu, Additional Government Pleader For R2 and R3
ORDER
With the consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. This writ petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 2 and 3 herein to extend the drinking water connection to the house of the petitioner herein existing at 304/4 (SF.No.173/2) Perumal Kovil Street, Melapalayam Post,Ottaparai, Chennimalai, Erode District within a reasonable period.
3. The Petitioner is residing at 304/4 (S.F.No.173/2), Perumal Kovil Street, Melapalayam Post, Ottaparai, Chennimalai, Erode District, had applied for a drinking water connection and duly paid the required charges to the third 2/6
respondent on 27.06.2024. The drinking water line for all residents in that area is laid through a public pathway. However, when arrangements were being made to provide a water connection to the petitioner's house, an adjacent resident raised objections to the pipeline passing through the public road in front of his house. As a result, the third respondent withheld the connection to the petitioner's house.
4. Learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner submits that despite all other residents in the area receiving water connections through the same public pathway, he has been singled out and denied the connection due to objections raised by a neighbor and due to personal enmity. He made representations to the first respondent on 24.05.2024 and again in person on 09.07.2024, but no steps have been taken by the respondents to resolve the issue. Hence, the present writ petition is filed.
5. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 2 and 3 would submit that the representation of the petitioner dated 24.05.2024 would be considered on merits, in accordance with law within a time frame stipulated by this Court.
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6. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
7. Without going into the merits of the case, the 2 nd and 3 rd respondents are directed to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 24.05.2024 after conducting a detailed enquiry by giving due notice to the petitioner, affording an opportunity of personal hearing, taking into consideration all the relevant documents submitted by the petitioner in regard to the subject matter property and pass appropriate orders on merits, in accordance with law, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
In the result, the writ petition stands disposed of with the above observations and direction. No costs.
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To 1.The District Collector, Erode District.
2.The Block Development Officer, Chennimalai, Erode District.
3.The Panchayat President, Ottaparai Village Panchayat, Chennimalai Block, Erode District.
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N.MALA., J.
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