Palaniyappan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.3653 & 3654 of 2026 Palaniyappan ... Petitioner -vs1.The District Collector Madurai District Madurai 2.The Block Development Officer Madurai East Union Panchayat Madurai 3.The Tahsildar Madurai East Madurai 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer Melur, Madurai District ... Respondents

PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.No.3849537/2025/Oi. 1 dated 03.02.2026 permitting operation of a compost yard in land situated survey No.19/4B in Rajakambeeram Village, Othakadai Panchayat, Madurai East Union, Madurai, quash the same and direct the respondents to allot alternative land for permitting the Compost Yard. For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Arun Kumar For Respondents :

Mr.P.Thilakkumar Government Pleader for R1, R3 & R4 Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader for R2

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.] This public interest litigation is filed challenging the proceedings of the District Collector, dated 03.02.2026, identifying the land in Survey No. 19/4B of Rajakambeeram Village, for erecting a compost yard.

2. According to the petitioner, the land, which has been identified for erection of the compost yard, is very adjacent to a private hospital and if the compost yard is erected in the said land, it will cause nuisance to the patients in the said hospital. The petitioner also apprehends that there is a public drinking water tank near the proposed compost yard and hence, erection of compost yard in the said land would lead to serious ground water pollution and bacterial contamination of portable water.

3. On perusing the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition and also the representation given by the petitioner to the authority concerned, we find that it is a clear case of private interest to protect the interest of the private hospital. The land, which has been identified for erection of the compost yard, is classified as "muR jhpR" in the revenue records. Therefore, the petitioner has no locus to challenge the impugned proceedings of the District Collector and the apprehension of the petitioner is not based on any scientific support. Hence, we are not inclined to entertain this writ petition.

4. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. [G.J., J.] [K.K.R.K., J.] 17.02.2026 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No krk To:

1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Block Development Officer, Madurai East Union Panchayat, Madurai.

3.The Tahsildar, Madurai East, Madurai.

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Melur, Madurai District.

DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.

AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J.

krk and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.3653 & 3654 of 17.02.2026