Madras High CourtWP/49159/2025disposed of

R.Mani v. The Chief Secretary

2026-03-11Honourable The Chief Justice,Honourable Mr.Justice G.Arul Murugan6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN R.MANI S/o RAVI No.3/154 BAJANAI KOIL STREET KOTTIVAKKAM KUPPAM, CHENNAI 600 041 PETITIONER

Versus

1.THE CHIEF SECRETARY GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI 600 009 2.THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, CHEPUAK CHENNAI 600 005 3.THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY WATER RESOURCE DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, CHEPUAK CHENNAI 600 005 4.THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT, ST GEORGE FORT, CHENNAI 600 009 5.THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR

CHENNAI CITY, RAJAJI SALAI, 4TH FLOOR, NO 62 BEACH ROAD, GEORGE TOWN, CHENNAI 600 001 6.THE COMMISSIONER GREATER CHENNAI CORPORATION, RIPON BUILDING, POONAMALLEE HIGH ROAD, CHENNAI 03 7.THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER ZONE 15, SHOLINGANALLUR, CHENNAI 600 119 8.THE SUPERINTENDENT ENGINEER TNEB, CHENNAI SOUTH, CEDC/KK NAGAR CHENNAI 600 078 9.THE TAHSILDER SHOLINGANALLUR TLAUK, NO.45 RAJIV GANDHI SALAI, RAJ NAGAR, THORAIPAKKAM CHENNAI 97 10.THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER (O AND M) TNEB 128, 1ST MAIN ROAD, 3RD CROSS STREET, RAJU NAGAR, OKKIYAM THORAIPAKAKM CHENNAI 97 11.THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE NO 3941 25TH MAIN ROAD, KANNAGI NAGAR THORAIPAKKAM CHENNAI 97 : RESPONDENTS Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider petitioner's representation dated 16.10.2025 and consequently, direct the respondents to remove all encroachment and restore the Watercourse Poramboke Land comprised in S.No.185/2 Okkiyam Thoraipakkam village to its original natural state.

For Petitioner Mr.R.Abdul Mubeen, for Mr.G.Suresh Kumar

For Respondents Mr.K.Karthik Jagannath, Government Advocate, for respondents 1 to 5, 8 to 10 Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan, Additional Public Prosecutor, for respondent No.11 No appearance for respondents 6 and 7

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The preset writ petition filed in the nature of a public interest litigation, seeks for a direction upon the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 16.10.2025 and consequently, direct the respondents to remove all encroachments and restore the watercourse poromboke land comprised in S.No.185/2, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam Village to its original natural state.

2. The respondents have filed a status report wherein it is stated that the Revenue Inspector has inspected the land in question along with the Field Surveyor and Village Administration Officer, on 19.02.2026, and they have identified the encroachers therein. In all, 94 encroachers have been identified and the officials are taking further

proceedings for removal of the encroachments.

3. In view of the aforesaid, the writ petition is disposed with a direction to the respondents to remove the encroachment, in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There will be no order as to costs.

(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 11.03.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar To 1.THE CHIEF SECRETARY SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI 600 009 2.THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY P.W.D., CHEPUAK CHENNAI 600 005 3.THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY WATER RESOURCE DEPARTMENT, P.W.D., CHEPUAK CHENNAI 600 005 4.THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT,

ST GEORGE FORT, CHENNAI 600 009 5.THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR CHENNAI CITY, RAJAJI SALAI, 4TH FLOOR, NO 62 BEACH ROAD, GEORGE TOWN, CHENNAI 600 001 6.THE COMMISSIONER GREATER CHENNAI CORPORATION, RIPON BUILDING, POONAMALLEE HIGH ROAD, CHENNAI 03 7.THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER ZONE 15, SHOLINGANALLUR, CHENNAI 600 119 8.THE SUPERINTENDENT ENGINEER TNEB, CHENNAI SOUTH, CEDC/KK NAGAR, CHENNAI 600 078 9.THE TAHSILDER SHOLINGANALLUR TLAUK, NO.45 RAJIV GANDHI SALAI, RAJ NAGAR, THORAIPAKKAM CHENNAI 97 10.THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER (O AND M) TNEB 128, 1ST MAIN ROAD, 3RD CROSS STREET, RAJU NAGAR, OKKIYAM THORAIPAKAKM CHENNAI 97 11.THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE NO 3941 25TH MAIN ROAD, KANNAGI NAGAR THORAIPAKKAM CHENNAI 97

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN , J.

(tar) 11.03.2026