Pattabiraman.V, v. The Secretary To Government Of Tamil Nadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24.04.2026 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P.No.18324 of 2024 Pattabiraman. V, S/o.V.Venupillai, No.39, West Mada Street, Nandambakkam Kudiyurrupu S.O, Kancheepuram District-600 089.
Petitioner Vs 1.The Secretary to Government of Public Works Department, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600009.
2.The Additional Chief Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai, Tamil Nau - 600009.
3.The District Collector of Chengalpattu District, Collectorate, GST Road, Chengalpattu -603 001.
4.The Chief Engineer to Govt of Chepauk, Chennai -600 005.
5.The Commissioner, Tambaram Municipal Corporation, No. 28, Muthuranga Mudali Street, Tambaram West, Chennai -600 045.
Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to demolish the construction put up by the 5th respondent and remove the encroachment made in the Putheri Lake and to restore Putheri Lake in its natural and pristine state.
For Petitioner:
Ms.Y.Kavitha for M/s.PVS Giridhar Associates Law Chambers For Respondents:
Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader for R1 to R4 Mr. P.Srinivas Standing Counsel for R5
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made Arul Murugan, J.) Heard.
2. This writ petition, styled as public interest litigation, has been filed by the petitioner for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the official respondents to demolish the construction put up by the 5th respondent in Putheri lake and to restore the Putheri lake to its natural and pristine state.
3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there has been encroachment on the lake, particularly, respondent No.5 has constructed a primary health centre in the lake, which is impermissible.
4. Responding to the allegations made in the writ petition, the respondents have filed counter-affidavit stating that an inspection was conducted by the Tahsildar, Pallavaram, along with a team of officials. During inspection, it was found that respondent No.5 had, in fact, constructed the primary health centre only in Old S.No.214,
T.S.No.54/1, which is classified as "Government Poramboke - Kalam" and there is no encroachment as alleged on the lake.
5. The petitioner has not controverted the said contention of the respondents by filing a rejoinder. Moreover, when the prayer sought in this writ petition is to remove the encroachment in the lake, but when after inspection, it has been found that there was no encroachment, the allegation that the primary health centre is constructed on the lake is factually incorrect. Under such circumstances, we see no reason to entertain this writ petition.
6. The writ petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 24.04.2026 Index :
Yes/No :
Yes/No bbr
To:
1.The Secretary to Government of Public Works Department, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu -600009.
2.The Additional Chief Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai, Tamil Nau -600009.
3.The District Collector of Chengalpattu District, Collectorate, Gst Road, Chengalpattu -603001.
4.The Chief Engineer to Govt of Chepauk, Chennai -600 005.
5.The Commissioner, Tambaram Municipal Corporation, No. 28, Muthuranga Mudali Street, Tambaram West, Chennai -600 045.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
bbr 24.04.2026