Madras High CourtWP(MD)/841/2026disposed of

Arumugavadivu v. The District Collector

2026-01-12Honourable Mr Justice B.Pugalendhi8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.01.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI Arumugavadivu ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi - 627 811.

2.The Forest Range Officer, Office of the Forest Range Officer, Kalakkadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Kadayam (Presently at Sivasailam), Bangalow Kudiyiruppu, Keezha Ambur Panchayat Tenkasi - 627 418.

3.The Deputy Director, Office of the Deputy Director, Kalakkadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Teachers Colony, Ambasamudram - 627 401.

4.The Chief Conservator of Forest and Deputy Director, Office of Chief Conservator of Forest and Deputy Director, Kalakkadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Perumalpuram, 1/8

Tirunelveli.

5.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Department), Forest Head Quarters Building, Near Kannikapuram Check Post.

Guindy - Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to disburse the compensation of a sum of Rs.10,00,000/- in accordance with G.O. No.33, dated 21.02.2024 for the death of her husband due to human wildlife conflict, within the period stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner :Mr.S.Devarajan, For Respondents :Mr.C.Sathish Government Advocate

O R D E R

The petitioner's husband one Kalyanasundaram died on 30.06.2024 due to the attack by a Mila, a wild animal, when he was travelling in a two wheeler, near Environmental Science Centre of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Chettikulam to 2/8

Azhwarkurichi Road, resulted in severe head injury. He was admitted in a hospital and died on 06.07.2024. Post mortem was also conducted and post mortem certificate reveals that the petitioner's husband died due to hit injury by a Mila/ a wild animal. Therefore, this petitioner claims that she is entitled for compensation of Rs.10,00,000/- as ordered by the Government, vide G.O(D)No.33, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.5) Department, dated 21.02.2024. The request of this petitioner has not been considered and therefore this petitioner has approached this Court by way of this writ petition, seeking a Mandamus. 2.In support of his contentions, the learned counsel for the petitioner has relied on the criminal case registered on the file of Alwarkurichi Police Station in Crime No.130 of 2024, dated 06.07.2024. The final report was also filed by the investigating officer on 25.10.2024. The police, who registered the case for the accidental death of this petitioner's husband has recorded that the petitioner's husband has died due to the attack by a wild animal. The 3/8

learned counsel further submits that though this petitioner has submitted the First Information Report, the final report along with the Post Mortem Certificate, the respondents have not considered the same.

3.Mr.C.Sathish, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents and submits that an enquiry has been conducted independently by the Forest Department and they found that the death of this petitioner's husband is not due to the attack by a wild animal.

4.This Court considered the rival submissions made and also perused the materials placed on record.

5.Admittedly, this petitioner's husband died on 06.07.2024, while he was travelling in a motorcycle near Chettikulam. A criminal case also been registered in Crime No.130 of 2024, on the file of Alwarkurichi Police Station, under Sections 4/8

194 of BNSS, 2023. An investigation has been conducted by Alwarkurichi Police Station and a final report has also been filed that the petitioner's husband died due to an attack by a wild animal. The copy of the first information report and the final report are also placed before this Court. Postmortem was conducted on the deceased and the Post mortem Certificate revealed that the petitioner's husband died due to head injury. 6.In view of the same, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to collect the First Information Report, the materials collected by the investigation agency in Crime No.130 of 2024 and the final report along with the postmortem certificate and conduct a separate fresh enquiry by examining the petitioner as well as the witnesses, who were present at the time of occurrence and take an independent decision within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In the event, if the respondents are denying the request of this petitioner, they have to assign reasons as to how they are distinguishing with the 5/8

Investigation report of Alwarkurichi Police station and pass a detailed order to that effect.

7.With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

12.01.2026 NCC: Yes/No Index:Yes/No Internet:Yes vrn 6/8

To 1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi - 627 811.

3.The Deputy Director, Office of the Deputy Director, Kalakkadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Teachers Colony, Ambasamudram - 627 401.

4.The Chief Conservator of Forest and Deputy Director, Office of Chief Conservator of Forest and Deputy Director, Kalakkadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Perumalpuram, Tirunelveli-627 401.

5.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Department), Forest Head Quarters Building, Near Kannikapuram Check Post, Guindy - Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

7/8

B.PUGALENDHI, J.

vrn Order made in 12.01.2026 8/8