Ravichandran v. The Commissioner Of Geology And Mining
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 13.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ and W.M.P.Nos.34106 and 34109 of 2025 Ravichandran, S/o.Varadharaju ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Thiru-vi-ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
2.The District Collector, Villupuram.
3.The Sub Collector, Tindivanam.
4.The Tahsildar, Markanam, Villupuram District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records relating to attachment order made in Na.Ka.S1/371/2025 dated 22.07.2025 by the fourth respondent and quash the same.
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For Petitioner : Mr.M.Muthappan For Respondents : Mr.E.Vijay Anand Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
By consent of learned counsel on both sides, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner, challenging the impugned attachment order bearing Na.Ka.S1/371/2025 dated 22.07.2025 passed by the fourth respondent, ordering attachment of the agricultural property of the petitioner.
3. It is submitted that the petitioner was granted quarrying lease vide proceedings dated 29.12.2022 of the Deputy Director of Geology and Mining, Villupuram, for a period of 5 years from 29.12.2022 to 28.12.2027. While so, the Sub Collector, Tindivanam, the third respondent herein passed an order dated 23.08.2023, based on the inspection conducted by the Deputy Director of Geology and Mining, Villupuram on 02.06.2023 wherein it was found that the petitioner had quarried excess quantity of minerals than the 2/6
permission granted, hence imposed penalty 15 times of seigniorage fee apart from the cost of the minerals, under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
4. Aggrieved by the aforesaid order dated 23.08.2023 passed by the third respondent herein, the petitioner has preferred an appeal on 22.09.2023 before the District Collector, Villupuram, the second respondent herein. The second respondent vide order dated 18.01.2024, dismissed the appeal and confirmed the order of the third respondent dated 23.08.2023. Aggrieved by the said order dated 18.01.2024, petitioner preferred a second appeal along with stay petition on 06.02.2024 before the Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Chennai, the first respondent herein. The said second appeal as well as stay petition are stated to be pending.
5. The grievance of the petitioner is that while second appeal along with stay petition is pending, the Tahsildar, Markanam, Villupuram District, the fourth respondent herein has taken coercive steps by issuing a Demand Notice on 20.05.2025, directing the petitioner to pay penalty under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Revenue Recovery Act, 1864, to which, the 3/6
petitioner has also submitted his detailed reply, however, the fourth respondent vide proceedings dated 22.07.2025, ordered attachment of the agricultural lands of the petitioner by invoking Section 27 of the Tamil Nadu Revenue Recovery Act, 1864. Challenging the same, the petitioner has come forward with the present writ petition.
6. At the outset, it is submitted by Mr.E.Vijay Anand, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents that the stay petition if any filed by the petitioner would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed within a time frame to be fixed by this Court, which was agreed to by the learned counsel for the petitioner.
7. In view thereof, this writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to dispose of the stay petition made by the petitioner if it is otherwise in order within a period of two weeks from today. Until stay petition is disposed of, coercive steps shall be kept in abeyance. All rights and contentions are left open. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any views with regard to the merits of the matter and it is open to the concerned authority to consider the matter on its own merits and in 4/6
accordance with law. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
13.08.2025 arb To 1.The Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Thiru-vi-ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
2.The District Collector, Villupuram.
3.The Sub Collector, Tindivanam.
4.The Tahsildar, Markanam, Villupuram District.
MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.
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arb 13.08.2025 6/6