Madras High CourtWP/27982/2025disposed of

S.Baskaran v. The Director

2026-03-18Honourable The Chief Justice,Honourable Mr.Justice G.Arul Murugan8 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN S.Baskaran S/o. Subramaniyan No. 1-189 Nagar Road Siruvadi Post, Tindivanam Taluk Villupuram District 604 301.

Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Director Directorate Of Geology And Mining Guindy Industrial Estate, Guindy Chennai 32.

2. The District Collector District Collectorate Office

3. The Deputy Director Department of Geology And Mining District Collectorate Office

4. The District Revenue Officer District Collectorate Office

5. The Revenue Divisional Officer RDO Office, Villupuram

6. The Tahsildar Taluk Office, Tindivanam Taluk

7. Block Development Officer BDO Office, Tindivanam Taluk

8. The Revenue Inspector RDO Office, Villupuram

9. M/s. SPL Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., No.24 Cresent Park Street 1st Floor, T. Nagar Chennai 600 017.

Respondent(s) Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents particularly 1st to 8th respondent to stop the graving works in survey No.63/3 measuring to an extent of 37.77.5 hectares situated at Siruvadi Village, Marakkanam block, Tindivanam Taluk, Villupuram District - 604 301 by considering the grama sabha dated 11.07.2025 duly passed in accordance with section 3 read with section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act 1994.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr. K.Praveen Raj For Respondent(s):Mr. E.Vijay Anand Addl. Govt. Pleader for R1 to R8 Ms. Abinaya Raj For M/s. Athisaya.C.G. for R9

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, in the nature of public interest litigation, seeking a direction to the respondents, particularly respondents 1 to 8, to stop the graving works in survey No.63/3 measuring to an extent of 37.77.5 hectares situated at Siruvadi Village, Marakkanam block, Tindivanam Taluk, Villupuram District - 604 301.

2. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that mining lease for quarrying rough stone was granted to ninth respondent on 04.02.2025 for the purpose of construction of four lane road project from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam (NH-332A). The villagers of the area conducted Grama sabha and passed resolution dated 11.07.2025 and submitted a complaint to the authorities on 17.07.2025.

3. The competent authority, i.e. the Deputy Director of Geology and Mining, Villupuram has considered the complaint and

carried out inspection and has also submitted the inspection report, in which, certain deficiencies have been noted as under: "iii. In pursuance to the complaint petition dated 17.07.2025 and instruction given by the Deputy Director of Geology and Mining, Villupuram, the above subject tank was inspected by the Special Revenue Inspector (Mines) on 19.07.2025 and reported as follows:-

1. There are no permanent residential areas, temples, graveyards within a radius of 50 m from the lease granted area which is mentioned in the complaint petition where ordinary earth is proposed to be removed from the tank mentioned in the objection petition.

2. Residential areas and temple which is located beyond 300 meters from the lease granted area. Moreover, a high-voltage line passes at a distance of 10 m from the lease granted area and required safety distance should be left for this as mentioned in the lease deed.

3. Furthermore, an investigation into the removal of silt within the tank revealed that a section measuring 35 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and 0.5 meters in depth had been excavated and the excavated silt was dumped nearby. No heavy machinery was found in the tank at the time of the inspection.

4. Further, he was stated that, the access road for transporting the excavated ordinary earth from siruvadi tank

passes through residential areas and reaches the Marakkanam-Puducherry main road. Therefore, the lessee may be advised to operate the vehicles in a manner that does not cause any inconvenience to the public or road users while transporting the minerals.

5. In view of the above, the Special Revenue Inspector (Mines) has recommended a thorough investigation into the objection petition submitted by the villagers of Siruvadi. He has also suggested for obtaining reports from the Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, Keelpennaiyaru Basin, and the Sub Collector, Tindivanam regarding the objections raised by the villagers."

Further report has been called for from the Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department concerning the objections raised by the villagers dated 31.07.2025.

4. Learned State counsel submits that further action will be initiated upon receipt of the report from the Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department and the Sub Collector, Tindivanam. Till the report is received, the quarry operations in the subject field has been stopped temporarily.

5. Without commenting upon the merits of the case, we direct the respondent authorities to conclude the proceedings in respect of the complaint, as expeditiously as possible and pass a reasoned and speaking order within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. With the aforesaid direction, petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 18.03.2026 Index :

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