V.Prabhu v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12.09.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN V.Prabhu S/o. V.Vijayarangan, 90 Arasamara Street, Ongapadi Village and Post, Annaikattu, Vellore District - 632 101.

Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector Vellore District, Sathyvachari, Vellore - 632 009.

2.The Joint Director/ Project Director District Rural Development Agency, Vellore - 632 009.

3.The Tahsildar Anaicut Taluk, Anaicut, Vellore District - 632 101.

4.The Block Development Officer Anaicut Block, Anaicut, Vellore District - 632 101.

5.The Assistant Engineer DDO Anaicut Block, Anaicut Vellore District - 632 101.

6.The Executive Engineer Public Works Department, Archaeological Road, Officer's Line, Near Register Office, Balaji Nagar, Vellore - 632 004.

7.M.Babu Chairman- District Panchayat, Bangalamedu, Melarasanpattu Village and Post, Odungathur Vellore District - 632 103.

Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to immediately conduct an inquiry into the construction of the new bridge across the river Peyaru at Anaicut Union, Vellore District and provide a report on the transparent disclosure of the new bridge's specifications, an investigation into the missing iron rods, confirmation that the bridge is being constructed in the approved and designated location only with all mandatory environmental clearances in place, and subsequently directing respondents 1 to 6 to halt the road laying and wall building activities on the riverbed initiated by the 7th respondent. For Petitioner:

Ms.R.Prem Raja Kumari For Respondents:

Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader for respondent Nos.1 to 6

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The august forum of public interest litigation is being blatantly misused and abused to stall public projects. In the present case, the petitioner seeks intervention of the writ court, so as to obstruct construction of a bridge by the respondents, raising false and frivolous allegations without any material basis. The allegations contained in the petition are blissfully vague.

2. The writ petition is dismissed with costs quantified at Rs.50,000/- payable to the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority within one week.

(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 12.09.2025 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No sasi

To:

1.The District Collector Vellore District, Sathyvachari, Vellore 632 009 2.The Joint Director/ Project Director District Rural Development Agency, Vellore 632 009 3.Tahsildar Anaicut Taluk, Anaicut, Vellore District 632 101 4.The Block Development Officer Anaicut Block, Anaicut, Vellore District 632 101 5.The Assistant Engineer DDO Anaicut Block, Anaicut Vellore District 632 101 6.The Executive Engineer Public Works Department, Archaeological Road, Officers Line, Near Register Office, Balaji Nagar, Vellore 632 004

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

(sasi) 12.09.2025