S.Madhavan v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep By
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S.Madhavan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The District Collector, Collectorate, Karur - 639 007.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, Karur District.
4.The Tahsildar, Pugalur Taluk Office, Velayuthampalayam, 1/8
5.The Tahsildar, Manmangalam Taluk Office, 6.The Revenue Inspector, Vangal, Manmangalam Taluk, 7.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, 31, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai - 5.
8.The Member Secretary, State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, 3rd Floor, Panagal Maaligai, No.1, Jennis Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 5.
9.The Director General of Police, Mylapore, Chennai - 4.
10.The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Trichy Range, Trichy.
11.The Superintendent of Police, Karur District, Karur.
12.The Inspector of Police, Vangali Police Station, Vangal, Karur District.
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13.The Inspector of Police, Velayuthampalayam Police Station, Pugalur Taluk, Karur District.
14.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, 15.The Assistant Engineer, PWD - WRO, RC Division, Karur.
16.The Divisional Forest Officer, Crash Plantation Division, 37/1, MGR Nagar (I Floor), Karur - 1.
... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 2 to 6 and 10 to 14 and their subordinates to prevent the illegal sand quarrying and mining in the river Cauvery from the bridge at Thavittupalayam connecting Karur District and Namakkal District and the Railway bridge and road bridge at Vangal connecting Karur District and Mohanur in Namakkal District in pursuance of the representations dated 09.09.2019, 12.09.2019, 01.03.2020 and 10.06.2020.
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For Petitioner : Mr.V.Nagarjan For RR 1 to 6 & 14 to 16 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader For R - 7 : Mr.B.Vijay Karthikeyan For R - 8 : No appearance For RR 9 to 13 : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The writ on hand has been instituted to direct the respondents 2 to 6 and 10 to 14 and their subordinates to prevent illegal sand quarrying and mining in the River Cauvery specifically from the bridge at Thavittupalayam connecting Karur District and Namakkal District, and the railway and road bridges at Vangal connecting Karur District and Mohanur in Namakkal District.
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2.River sand mining has been stopped by the Government. In the event of any illegal river sand mining, the petitioner or any other person is at liberty to submit a complaint to the competent authorities. On receipt of any such complaint or information, the authorities concerned are directed to initiate all appropriate actions including criminal prosecution against the offenders. The officials who are all committing lapses, exhibit dereliction of duty or act negligently in preventing illegal river sand mining shall be held personally responsible and accountable and shall be subjected to departmental disciplinary proceedings.
3.With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
[S.M.S.,J.] & [S.S.Y.,J.] 15.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 5/8
To 1.The Secretary to Government, Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The District Collector, Collectorate, Karur - 639 007.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, Karur District.
4.The Tahsildar, Pugalur Taluk Office, Velayuthampalayam, 5.The Tahsildar, Manmangalam Taluk Office, 6.The Revenue Inspector, Vangal, Manmangalam Taluk, 7.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, 31, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai - 5.
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8.The Member Secretary, State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, 3rd Floor, Panagal Maaligai, No.1, Jennis Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 5.
9.The Director General of Police, Mylapore, Chennai - 4.
10.The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Trichy Range, Trichy.
11.The Superintendent of Police, Karur District, Karur.
12.The Inspector of Police, Vangali Police Station, Vangal, Karur District.
13.The Inspector of Police, Velayuthampalayam Police Station, Pugalur Taluk, Karur District.
14.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Karur District.
15.The Assistant Engineer, PWD - WRO, RC Division, Karur.
16.The Divisional Forest Officer, Crash Plantation Division, 37/1, MGR Nagar (I Floor), Karur - 1.
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S.M.SUBRAMANIAM , J.
and S.SRIMATHY , J.
ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 15.07.2025 8/8