E.Lakshmipathy v. The Principal Secretary

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 30.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.46045 of 2025 E.Lakshmipathy ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Industries Mines and Quarries Minor Minerals Department, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Commissionerate of Geology & Mining, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

3.The Assistant Director, Department of Geology & Mining, Collectorate Complex, Thiruvannamalai, 4.The District Collector, Thiruvannamalai District, Thiruvannamalai.

5.The Sub Collector,

6.The Tahsildar, Cheyyar Taluk, 7.Karthick 8.Muthu ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 6 to remove the illegal quarry situated immediate adjacent to the agricultural land of the petitioner operating by the respondents 7 & 8 in S.Nos.256 and 1/1A2 of Karanai Village, Cheyyar Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District to the total extent of 3 acres and 4 cents in violation of Rule 36 (1A) of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025.

For Petitioner :

Mr.V.Elangovan For Respondent :

Mr.Stalin Abimanyu, AGP Nos.1 to 6 For Respondent :

Notice dispensed with Nos.7 & 8

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 6 to remove the illegal quarry situated immediate adjacent to the agricultural land of the petitioner operated by the respondents 7 & 8 in S.Nos.256 and 1/1A2 of Karanai Village, Cheyyar Taluk, Thiruvannamalai

District to the total extent of 3 acres and 4 cents in violation to Rule 36 (1A) of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025.

2. Heard the learned counsels on either side. With the consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself. Since no adverse order has been passed against the respondents 7 & 8 herein, notice to them is dispensed with.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an agriculturist and doing agriculture in S.Nos.1/1B, 1/2A, 2/2A, 2/2B of Karanai Village to an extent of 3.5 acres and also to an extent of 50 cents in S.No.116/3 of Pandiyambakkam Village. He contended that the respondents 7 & 8 herein are ongoing illegal quarry operations in S.Nos.256 and 1/1A2 of Karanai Village to the total extent of 3 acres and 4 cents, which is immediate adjacent to the petitioner's agricultural lands, causing damages to the petitioner's agricultural lands and also causes environmental hazards. He further submitted that in view of the same, the petitioner has made a detailed representation dated 09.10.2025 to the official respondents herein to remove the said quarry, however, there was no response from the official

respondents. Hence, the present Petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader on instructions submitted that the official respondents will consider the representation of the petitioner dated 09.10.2025 and will pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible.

5. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, this Court directs the official respondents herein to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is also closed. 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 Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Industries Mines and Quarries Minor Minerals Department, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Commissionerate of Geology & Mining, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

3.The Assistant Director, Department of Geology & Mining, Collectorate Complex, Thiruvannamalai, 4.The District Collector, Thiruvannamalai District, Thiruvannamalai.

5.The Sub Collector, 6.The Tahsildar, Cheyyar Taluk,

M.DHANDAPANI.J, DP and W.M.P.No.46045 of 2025 30.10.2025