T.D.Watson, v. The Assistant Director Of Town Panchayat

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 17.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)Nos.5805 and 5806 of 2026 T.D.Watson ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayat O/o.The District Collectorate, Nagercoil Division, Kanyakumari District.

2.The Executive Officer, Tirparappu Town Panchayat Kulasekaram Taluk, Kanyakumari District.

...Respondents

Writ Petitions are filed under article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent accept the offer made by the petitioner and award the contract of collecting to vehicle entry fees in the Tirparappu waterfalls for the period up to 31.03.2029 based on the offer letter dated 05.03.2026 as submitted by the petitioner.

For Petitioner :Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy, Senior Advocate for Mr.G.Sailendrababu For R1 :Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader For R2 :Mr.R.Ragavendran

ORDER

The writ petition is filed for a mandamus to consider the offer letter dated 05.03.2026 submitted by the petitioner. 2.Upon hearing the learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, the prayer made in the writ petition is to renew/award the contract of collecting vehicle entry fees at the Tirpparappu waterfalls for a period up to 31-03-2029 to the petitioner.

3.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner was originally awarded the contract of collecting fees in the year 2024 by order dated 02.02.2024. Even though the petitioner was the successful bidder and as per the Rules, ie Rule 316 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Body Rules 2023, the period shall be for three years, in view of the personal situation of the petitioner, the petitioner collected the amount only for a period of two years. Thereafter since the petitioner did not opt to collect fee with 5% increase, the respondent re-auctioned the license for collecting fees. Even though a third party became a successful bidder, subsequently the third party also abandoned and did not continue the bid. Under the said circumstances now the petitioner has made a representation to continue him and he has also

offered to match the offer made in the new auction by giving a marginal increase of the said amount as Rs.39,00,000/-. 4.When the matter came up for admission, the learned counsel for the respondent would submit that the representation of the petitioner will be considered in accordance with law and due orders will be passed. 5.In view thereof, let the representation of the petitioner dated 05.03.2026 be considered by the first respondent and due orders thereon, in accordance with law, shall be passed. In any event the final orders shall be passed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order, without waiting for the certified copy of the order. Since it is submitted that the petitioner is continuing collection as on today, the petitioner shall continue to collect by duly accounting it to the first and second respondents, until the final orders are passed in the representation of the petitioner.

6.With the above observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 17.03.2026 NCC:Yes/No

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

Ns To 1.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayat O/o.The District Collectorate, Nagercoil Division, Kanyakumari District.

2.The Executive Officer, Tirparappu Town Panchayat Kulasekaram Taluk, Kanyakumari District.

and W.M.P(MD)Nos.5805 and 5806 of 2026 17.03.2026