Balasinthan V v. The Director / Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN V.Balasinthan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Director/Commissioner, Department of Geology and Mining, Alanthur Road, Guindy Industrial Part, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

2.The Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Collectorate Post, Dindigul - 624 004.

3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Collectorate Post, Dindigul - 624 004.

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4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul Revenue Division, Dindigul - 624 001. 5.The Thasildar, West Taluk Office, Dindigul - 624 002.

6.M.Shankar ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the third respondent to take legal action against the sixth respondent based on the petitioner's complaint dated 20.11.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.B.Mohamad Kalibullah For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R1 to R5) Special Government Pleader : Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff (R6)

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the third respondent to take legal action against the sixth respondent based on the petitioner's complaint dated 20.11.2025. 2/7

2.The petitioner, a press reporter from Dindigul, submits that a rough stone quarry operating in Gurunathannayackanur village is functioning in gross violation of the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules and other applicable laws. The quarry is situated in close proximity to a public road, an electric transformer, a burial ground, and a temple, thereby posing serious risks to public safety, health, and the religious practices of the villagers.

3.It is alleged that the quarry operations involve excessive blasting, resulting in noise pollution, air pollution, structural damage to nearby houses, and health hazards to residents, particularly the elderly and children. The petitioner further contends that no adequate safety measures have been implemented, and that the public is subjected to hardship, including restricted access to burial grounds and places of worship. 4.The petitioner further submits that the mining lease was granted by the competent authority without proper inspection. The sixth 3/7

respondent is stated to be operating the quarry in violation of statutory norms, allegedly under political and financial influence, and is also said to be intimidating local residents from raising complaints. 5.Despite submitting representations along with photographic evidence to the concerned authorities, no action has been taken. Hence, the present Writ Petition has been filed seeking appropriate directions against the alleged illegal quarry operations and for safeguarding the rights and safety of the villagers.

6.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

7.It is an admitted fact that the licence has been granted to the sixth respondent by the third respondent vide proceedings in Rc.No.213/2021 (M), dated 08.11.2023. If there are any irregularities in the grant of such licence, the proper course open to the petitioner is to challenge the said licence in the manner known to law. Without doing so, no action can 4/7

be initiated against the sixth respondent merely on the basis of general and unsubstantiated allegations. In the absence of any challenge to the licence itself, we are not inclined to entertain the present Writ Petition. 8.Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 02.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 5/7

To 1.The Director/Commissioner, Department of Geology and Mining, Alanthur Road, Guindy Industrial Part, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

2.The Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Collectorate Post, Dindigul - 624 004.

3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Collectorate Post, Dindigul - 624 004.

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul Revenue Division, Dindigul - 624 001.

5.The Thasildar, West Taluk Office, Dindigul - 624 002.

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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.

and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.

ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 02.04.2026 7/7