N.Rukmangathan v. The State Of Tamilnadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28.08.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN and W.M.P.Nos.20462 and 20463 of 2020 and Sub A. (OS) No.624 of 2025 W.P.No.16484 of 2020:
N.Rukmangathan No.59/31, Perumal Street, Egmore, Chennai-600 008 Petitioner Vs 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Chief Secretary, Fort St George, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Commissioner Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, Chennai-600 003 3.The Secretary Municipal Administration and Water Supply Dept.
Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009
4.The Assistant Commissioner Zone 5, Chennai Corporation, Chennai-600 021 [Respondent No.1 deleted vide order dated 5.2.2021 made in W.P.No.16484 of 2020] Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to initiate appropriate action under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 against the unauthorized constructions made in Zone V, Greater Chennai Corporation.
For Petitioner:
Mr.K.Balaji For Respondents:
Mr.P.S.Raman Advocate General assisted by Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader for respondent No.3 Mr.A.Arun Babu Standing Counsel for respondent Nos.2 and 4 Cont.P.No.3817 of 2024:
N.Rukmanganthan, S/o.Natarajan, No.54, Water Canal Road, Flat No.908, 8th Block, Alliance Orchid Spring, Korattur, Chennai-600 076.
Petitioner
Vs J.Kumaragurubaran, I.A.S., Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Rippon Building, Park Town, Chennai 600 003.
Contemnor Prayer: Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act to punish the respondent for willful disobedience to the order passed in W.P.No.16484 of 2020 dated 17.12.2021 and punish him under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act.
For Petitioner:
Mr.K.Balaji For Contemnor:
Mr.J.Ravindran Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.A.Arun Babu Standing Counsel COMMON ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This order will dispose of the writ petition (public interest litigation) as also the contempt petition.
2. This public interest litigation is filed by the petitioner raising an allegation with regard to encroachment. Initially an order was
passed on 17.12.2021 directing the authorities to take necessary enforcement action. It appears that as the authority did not proceed in the matter expeditiously, a contempt petition came to be filed.
3. During the pendency of the writ petition and the contempt proceedings, it has now been brought to our notice that authorities proceeded with the enforcement action and de-occupation/lock and seal notices have been issued against large number of persons. It is also brought to the notice of this court that number of appeals/ revisions were filed by the aggrieved persons before the higher authorities in the government and though some of the revisions have been dismissed, some revisions are still pending.
4. Learned Additional Advocate General would bring to the notice of this court that some of those persons, who were aggrieved by the orders passed by the authorities, have filed writ petitions before this court.
5. Upon hearing learned counsel for the parties, we are of the view that the purpose of filing the public interest litigation stands served, as orders have been passed by various authorities and legality and validity of such orders is pending consideration before various fora. The writ petition is, accordingly, closed.
6. In view of the order dated 10.7.2025 passed in the contempt petition recalling the costs imposed and the directions issued therein, the contempt petition also stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, interim applications stand closed.
(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (SUNDER MOHAN,J) 28.08.2025 Index :
Yes/No :
Yes/No sasi
To:
1.The Chief Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St George, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Commissioner Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, Chennai-600 003 3.The Secretary Municipal Administration and Water Supply Dept.
Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009 4.The Assistant Commissioner Zone 5, Chennai Corporation, Chennai-600 021
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND SUNDER MOHAN,J.
(sasi) 28.08.2025