M.Murugan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 26.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI M.Murugan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, 3.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resources Management, Water Basin Section-2, 4.The Tahsildar, Taluka Office, 1/5

5.The Executive Officer, Office of the Executive Officer, Sadaiyamankalam, Kannangudi Panchayat, 6.N.Ganesan 7.K.Marimuthu 8.A.Gopal 9.P.Sethuraman 10.P.Kubendran 11.V.Parvarthi ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to remove the encroachment made by the respondent 6 to 11 in Tharisurani, Pillaiyar Kovil, Sadaiyamankalam water bodies and its water channel in Survey Nos.45, 37, 2/2, 6, 7, 44, 47, 48 and 49 in Sadaiyamankalam Village, Kannangudi Panchayat, Devakottai Taluk, Sivaganga District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 10.12.2025 within the period as stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Atham Ali For Respondents : Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh Special Government Pleader for R.1 to R.5 2/5

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 5. Considering the nature of relief to be granted, issuance of notice to the respondents 6 to 11 is dispensed with.

2.The petitioner is a resident of Sadaiyamankalam. He alleges that there are encroachments in the petition mentioned survey numbers and that they have to be removed.

3.When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Special Government Pleader confirmed that the petition mentioned survey numbers have been classified as "water channel" and that they belong to PWD. 4.The fourth respondent is directed to conduct survey. Before conducting survey, notice shall be issued to all the concerned persons. If the survey results indicate that there are encroachments, the third respondent shall take consequential action to remove the same. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is needless to mention that the statutory procedure will be followed.

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5.This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 26.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No MGA To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, 3.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resources Management, Water Basin Section-2, Devakottai Taluk, Sivaganga District.

4.The Tahsildar, Taluka Office, 5.The Executive Officer, Office of the Executive Officer, Sadaiyamankalam, Kannangudi Panchayat, 4/5

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J and B.PUGALENDHI, J.

MGA 26.02.2026 5/5