Thangam v. The Secretary To The Government Fisheries

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 30.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.Nos.41072 & 41075 to 41077 of 2025 1.Thangam ... Petitioner in W.P.No.41072 of 2025 2.Anguraj ... Petitioner in W.P.No.41075 of 2025 3.Sivaraj ... Petitioner in W.P.No.41076 of 2025 4.Murugan ... Petitioner in W.P.No.41077 of 2025 Vs.

1.The Secretary to the Government Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Department, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner of Fisheries, Intergrade Commissioner Officer, Nandanam, Chennai.

3.The Fisheries Inspector, Mettur Fisheries Department, Mettur Dam, Salem District.

... Respondents in all W.Ps Common Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the third respondent dated 22.09.2025, quash the same and subsequently renewing the license of the petitioner for fishing in Kaveri river below the Mettur Reservoir.

For Petitioner :

M/s.P.Hasnah in all W.Ps.

For Respondents :

Ms.S.Anitha, SGP in all W.Ps.

C O M M O N O R D E R The impugned order passed by the third respondent dated 22.09.2025, is put under challenge in the present Writ Petitions. Further, the petitioners seek a direction for renewal of their fishing license in Kaveri river below the Mettur Reservoir.

2. Heard the learned counsels on either side. With the consent of both sides, these Writ Petitions are taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself. Since the issues involved in these Writ Petitions are one and the same, they are disposed of by way of a common order.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are members of the Fishing Co-operative Society and they were granted fishing license prior to 2020 and they made applications for renewal of their fishing license. He further submitted that for the past five years, their

applications were not considered, however to their shock and surprise, the respondents without providing an opportunity of hearing, had cancelled their fishing rights on the ground that the petitioners have not renewed their fishing license. He also submitted that the petitioners have already made their applications for renewal in the year 2019-2020, without considering the same, the impugned order has been passed by the third respondent herein, which is in violation to the Principles of Natural Justice. Hence, the present Petitions.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents on instructions, submitted that the petitioners have annexed their renewal applications, which are made prior to 2020, however their applications will be considered now. Hence, she submitted that this Court may pass appropriate orders in this regard.

5. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, this Court sets aside the impugned order of the third respondent dated 22.09.2025, on the ground that the petitioners had made their renewal applications as early as in the year 2019-2020 but the same were not considered by the respondents. This Court also directs the respondent

concerned to consider the petitioners' applications for renewal of fishing license, if not available, the respondent concerned is directed to receive the same from the respective petitioner and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible.

6. With the above directions, this Writ Petitions stand allowed. There shall be no orders as to costs.

30.10.2025 Index: Yes/No NCC : Yes/No Order : Speaking/Non Speaking DP

To 1.The Secretary to the Government Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Department, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner of Fisheries, Intergrade Commissioner Officer, Nandanam, Chennai.

3.The Fisheries Inspector, Mettur Fisheries Department, Mettur Dam, Salem District.

M.DHANDAPANI.J, DP W.P.Nos.41072 & 41075 to 41077 of 2025 30.10.2025