Madras High CourtWP/15265/2026disposed of with direction

T.Balu v. State Level Environmental Impact

2026-04-17Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI T.Balu S/o.Thangavelu No.245 Arthanary Gounder Street Meyyanur, Salem 636004.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) - Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Member Secretary 9th Floor, Metro (CMRL Building) Nandanam, Chennai 600035.

..Respondent(s) To direct the Respondent to consider and afford a personal hearing regarding the petitioners Environmental Clearance Application in Proposal Number SIA/TN/MIN/431246/2023 bearing File No. 10864, in light of the Honble National Green Tribunal, southern Zones Judgment in Appeal No.10 of 2025 dated 28.01.2026, for the proposed quarry activity of Rough Stone over an extent of 1.00.0 Ha (Government Lease Land) at S.F.Nos. 146/2 (Part) of Deevattipatti Village, Kadayampatti Taluk, Salem District, Tamil Nadu and pass.

For Petitioner(s):

M/s.G.Vignesh For Respondent(s):

Mr.V.Chandrasekaran, Senior Panel Counsel Order This Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus directing the respondent to consider and afford a personal hearing to the petitioner's Environmental

Clearance Application in Proposal Number SIA/TN/MIN/431246/2023 bearing File No.10864, in light of the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone's judgment in Appeal No.10 of 2025 dated 28.01.2026 for the proposed quarry activity of Rough Stone over an extent of 1.00.0 Ha (Government Lease land) at S.F.Nos.146/2 (Part) of Deevattipatti Village, Kadayampatti Taluk, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

2. The case of the petitioner is that he is the successful bidder for a Government Poromboke Land Tender cum Auction and was subsequently granted 10 year mining lease for the extraction of Rough Stone over an extent of 1.00.0 Ha at S.F.No.146/2, Deevattipatti Village, Kadayampatti Taluk, Salem District. The petitioner submitted an online proposal, which was arbitrarily rejected by the respondent, vide order dated 02.12.2024 on erroneous ground, which was successfully challenged by the petitioner before the Hon'ble Green Tribunal in Appeal No.10 of 2025 and vide judgment dated 28.01.2026, NGT set aide the rejection order and remitted the matter for reconsideration. Despite NGT's directions to the respondent to reconsider the reappraisal environmental application and explicit direction under para 28(II) of the said judgment to afford an opportunity of personal hearing to the proposed respondent, no such personal hearing was afforded and hence, the petitioner has come up with the present writ petition.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials.

4. Considering the limited scope of prayer sought for, this Court, without expressing anything on merits, directs the respondent to afford an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and other interested parties with regard to the petitioner's request and consider the same and pass appropriate orders within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

17-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Sk To State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) - Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Member Secretary 9th Floor, Metro (CMRL Building) Nandanam, Chennai 600035.

M.DHANDAPANI J.

Sk 17-04-2026