V.Anandan v. The Member Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 18.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI V.Anandan ... Petitioner Vs.
1 THE MEMBER SECRETARY STATE LEVEL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY, 3RD FLOOR, PANAGAL BUILDING, SAIDAPET, CHENNAI - 600 015.
2 THE COMMISSIONER / DIRECTOR OF GEOLOGY AND MINING, GUINDY, CHENNAI - 600 002.
3 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT, KRISHNAGIRI.
4 THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ADDL. CHARGE), DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING, KRISHNAGIRI.
... Respondents Prayer:
Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for the records relevant to the order in Roc.No.650/2009/Mines dated on 11.12.2020 passed by 1/7
the third respondent which was confirmed by the second respondent order in Rc.No.210/MM1/2021 dated 12.04.2024 and quash the same as illegal, improper and against the natural justice and thereby directing the respondents to grant environment clearance and permit the petitioner to quarry and transport the stones from the leasehold land bearing in S.No.346 (Part), 353, 354/2, Osapuram Village, Denkanikottai Taluk, Krishnagiri District to an extent of 2.02.5 Hectares for the period of four years from the date of issue of transport permit on the light of judgment passed in W.P. No.34852 of 2018 dated 11.03.2019.
For Petitioner : Mr.L.Chandrakumar for M/s.B.Sundarapandiyan For Respondents : Mr.Venkataswamy Babu for R1 Mr.Stalin Abimanyu for R2 to R4 Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for the records relevant to the order in Roc.No.650/2009/Mines dated on 11.12.2020 passed by the third respondent which was confirmed by the second respondent order in Rc.No.210/MM1/2021 dated 12.04.2024 and quash the same as illegal, improper and against the natural justice and thereby directing the respondents to grant environment clearance and permit the 2/7
petitioner to quarry and transport the stones from the leasehold land bearing in S.No.346 (Part), 353, 354/2, Osapuram Village, Denkanikottai Taluk, Krishnagiri District to an extent of 2.02.5 Hectares for the period of four years from the date of issue of transport permit in the light of judgment passed in W.P.No.34852 of 2018 dated 11.03.2019.
2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that in the year 2009, the petitioner participated in the sealed tender cum public auction called by the Government of Tamil Nadu for lease of the land in Krishnagiri District for the purpose of quarrying rough stones, jelly and sized stones and the petitioner was granted stone quarry lease for quarrying rough stones, Jelly and sized stones in S.No.346 (Part), 353, 354/2, Osapuram Village, Denkanikottai Taluk, Krishnagiri District to an extent of 2.02.5 Hectares for the period of 10 years from 11.01.2010 to 10.01.2020 as per Rule 8 of Minor Minerals Concessions Rules, 1956 and lease deed was executed by the third respondent on 11.01.2010 and the same was registered as Document No.272/2010 on the file of SRO, Kelamangalam and the petitioner was running the quarry without any disturbance.
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3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that all of a sudden on 18.05.2015, the third respondent issued memo stating that as per G.O.No.79, Industrial (M.M.C1) dated 06.04.2015, the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 was amended and Rule 41 and 42 were included in the above Act and as per Rule 42, the submission of Environment Clearance for the existing leases also had been made mandatory. Based on the said memo, the petitioner made representation to the respondents seeking to grant Environmental Clearance Certificate along with necessary documents and also paid necessary fees, however, there was no response and hence the petitioner filed W.P.No.26840 of 2019 and this Court vide order dated 24.01.
2020 directed the petitioner to give fresh representation to all aspects including seeking extension of period of lease to the District Collector, Krishnagiri District and issued direction to the District Collector to enquire into the issue and to pass order, pursuant to which, the petitioner made representation before the third respondent and the third respondent passed the impugned order dated 11.12.2020 and the same was confirmed by the second respondent vide order dated 12.04.2024.
4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further 4/7
submitted that this Court may without going into the merits of the case, issue direction to the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's application dated 12.12.2015 received by the first respondent on 15.12.2015 [F.No:4667/2016], within a reasonable time frame and grant liberty to the petitioner to approach the third respondent/ District Collector seeking permission for operation of the stone quarry for the non operative period, after the first respondent pass order on the petitioner's application.
5.Considering the limited relief now sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case and without interfering with the orders impugned in this writ petition, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application dated 12.12.2015 received by the first respondent on 15.12.2015 [F.No:4667/2016], on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, as expeditiously as possible. Thereafter, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the third respondent/ District Collector seeking permission for operation of the stone quarry for the non operative period. For ready reference, this Court permits the petitioner to send a copy of the petitioner's application dated 12.12.2015 along with a copy of this order, so as to 5/7
enable the first respondent to pass appropriate orders, as expeditiously as possible.
6.With the above observations and directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
18.03.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To 1 THE MEMBER SECRETARY STATE LEVEL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY, 3RD FLOOR, PANAGAL BUILDING, SAIDAPET, CHENNAI - 600 015.
2 THE COMMISSIONER / DIRECTOR OF GEOLOGY AND MINING, GUINDY, CHENNAI - 600 002.
3 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT, KRISHNAGIRI.
4 THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ADDL. CHARGE), DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING, KRISHNAGIRI.
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M.DHANDAPANI,J.
pri 18.03.2026 7/7