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Madras High CourtWP/46147/2025disposed of

P.L.Baskar v. Pallikonda Town Panchayat

2025-11-26Honourable Mr.Justice V. Lakshminarayanan5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 26-11-2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN and WMP.No.51472 of 2025 1.P.L.Baskar, S/o.Lakshmipathy, 16, Periya Bazaar, Pallikonda, Vellore District - 635 809.

2. K.Selvam, S/o. Kasi, 12/17, Kekka Road, Keelachur, Pallikonda Town Panchayat, Vellore District - 635 809.

..Petitioners Vs 1.Pallikonda Town Panchayat, Represented By Its Executive Officer, No.3, High School Road, Pallikonda, Vellore District 635809.

2.The Executive Engineer, Upper Palar Basin Division, Water Resources Department, Gandhi Nagar, Vellore.

3.The Junior Engineer, Irrigation Division, Water Resources Department, Gandhi Nagar, Vellore.

..Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to remove a minor bridge constructed by it across Baburao Canal in Pallikonda Town Panchayat, Vellore District and to consequently construct a new bridge at the same place along the entire width of the canal after obtaining all such approvals and permissions as are necessary under law. For Petitioners:

Mr.Harshavardan R.

For Respondents:

Mr. M.Shajahan, SGP

ORDER

The petitioners are residents of a town called Pallikonda in Vellore District. It is administered by the first respondent/Town Panchayat. The first respondent constructed a bridge across a canal called Baburao Canal. The construction so made was without approval from the Water Resources Department of the Public Works Department (PWD). Moreover, the construction itself fell far short of the size of the canal. The canal is said to be 12 feet in width, whereas the construction was made only for 2 feet.

2. Taking note of the manner in which the construction has been made,

respondents 2 and 3, on whom the responsibility of maintaining the canal has been imposed, called upon the first respondent to remove the canal. This was by an order dated 25-06-2025. A reminder was also sent on 16-09-2025. Yet, the first respondent remained unmoved. Hence, the petitioners are before this Court.

3. When the matter was called, Mr.M.Shajahan, learned Special Government Pleader, reported that in compliance with the direction given by the second respondent, the bridge will be removed within a period of two weeks from today. His statement is recorded as an undertaking given by the first respondent to this Court. Recording the said statement, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition stands closed.

26-11-2025 Index : Yes/No (1/2) Internet : Yes/No

Kj To 1.Pallikonda Town Panchayat, Represented By Its Executive Officer, No.3, High School Road, Pallikonda,Vellore District 635809.

2.The Executive Engineer, Upper Palar Basin Division, Water Resources Department, Gandhi Nagar, Vellore. 3.The Junior Engineer, Irrigation Division, Water Resources Department, Gandhi Nagar, Vellore.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

Kj and WMP.No.51472 of 2025 26-11-2025 (1/2)