Madras High CourtWP(MD)/5004/2026disposed of

A.Nagappan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

2026-02-24Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy7 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.5004 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD).No.4201 of 2026 1.A.Nagappan 2.Y.Devadhas 3.P.Pushpakaran 4.Raveendran 5.T.Sarasamma 6.S.Jelaja Kumari ... Petitioners Vs 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Secretary, Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-09.

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by the Secretary, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-09.

3.The District Collector, Collectorate, Kanyakumari District.

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4.The Conservator of Forest, Kalakkad Mundanthurai (KMTR), Perumalpuram, Tirunelveli.

5.The District Forest Officer (DFO), O/o. District Forest Officer, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

6.The Forest Ranger, Kulasekaram Range, Forest Range Office, near State Bank of India, Kulasekaram, Kanyakumari District.

7.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District.

8.The Special Tahsildar, (Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare), Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 to 8 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.10.2025 and to give recognition of forest rights for actual occupation of 4 hectares to the petitioners in the light of Section 4(6) of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and to permit the petitioners to dispose the minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected and to remove the dry and deadwood trees in light of Section 3(1)(c) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional 2/7

Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and to provide electricity connection and other basic amenities to the petitioners in terms of Section 3(2) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.I.Pinaygash For Respondents : Mr.S.Shanmugavel, Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 8 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.10.2025 and grant recognition of forest rights in respect of the actual occupation of 4 hectares by the petitioners in the light of Section 4(6) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The petitioner also seeks permission to dispose of the minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected and to remove dry and deadwood trees in the light of Section 3(1)(c) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Further, the petitioner seeks a direction to provide electricity connection and other basic amenities to 3/7

the petitioners in terms of Section 3(2) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, within the time stipulated by this Court.

2. Mr.S.Shanmugavel, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice on behalf of the respondents. By consent of the parties, the main writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has submitted a representation dated 06.10.2025 before the respondents seeking recognition of forest rights and other consequential benefits under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. However, the said representation has not been considered so far by the competent authority.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 06.10.2025 would be considered in accordance with law by the competent authority.

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5. Considering the limited prayer sought for in this writ petition and without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the third respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 06.10.2025 on its own merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. It is made clear that the interest of the petitioners shall not be affected by virtue of any order passed subsequent to the consideration of the said representation.

7. Accordingly, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 24.02.2026 TSG Speaking/Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No 5/7

To 1.The Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-09.

2.The Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-09.