Ravichandran A v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.03.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Ms.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA and W.M.P.(MD) No.4668 of 2023 A.Ravichandran ... Petitioner /vs./ 1.The District Collector, Dindigul District, 2.The District Revenue Officer, Dindigul District, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, RDO Office, 4.The Tahsildar, Kodaikanal Taluk, 1/6

5.The Chief Conservator of Forests, Dindigul Circle, 6.The District Forest Officer, Kodaikanal Division, 7.The Wildlife Warden, Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay a sum of Rs.10 lakhs as compensation to the petitioner for injuries sustained by him due to the attack by a wild bison and further directing the respondents to reimburse the expenses incurred by the petitioner towards medical treatment and further directing the respondents to take all necessary steps to ensure and prevent the wild animals from infiltrating into human habitats on the basis of the representations of the petitioner dated 24.01.2023 and 25.02.2023 within a time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Kirubakaran For Respondents : Mr.D.Gandhiraj Special Government Pleader 2/6

ORDER

The above writ petition is filed claiming compensation of a sum of Rs.10,00,000/-, which has been sustained by the petitioner by the reason of his having been attacked by a wild bison while he was standing in the parking area of the Hilltop Towers at Club Road, Kodaikanal.

2.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner had sustained serious injury more specifically a spinal fracture and he had to undergo treatment in a specialized hospital at Madurai, all of which involve expenses. It is his contention that the respondents are bound to take necessary steps to prevent men-animal conflict and to ensure that the wild animals do not infiltrate into the human habitats and therefore, he was entitled to be compensated.

3.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side. 4.Though the prayer is for grant of compensation, the petitioner is directed to submit a representation to the fifth respondent with all the attendant 3/6

documents, like the treatment undergone by him along with medical bills and the CCTV footage and photos relating to the attack. On receipt of the representation, if any, the fifth respondent shall proceed to pass orders within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5.With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. However, there shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

Speaking : Yes / No 09.03.2023 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No mm To 1.The District Collector, Dindigul District, 2.The District Revenue Officer, Dindigul District, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, RDO Office, 4/6

4.The Tahsildar, Kodaikanal Taluk, 5.The Chief Conservator of Forests, Dindigul Circle, 6.The District Forest Officer, Kodaikanal Division, 7.The Wildlife Warden, Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, 5/6

P.T.ASHA, J.

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