Madras High CourtWP(MD)/10037/2026disposed of

N.Arumugam v. The District Collector

2026-04-09Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan,Honourable Mr Justice B.Pugalendhi5 pages

1 W.P.(MD)NO.10037 OF 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P.(MD)No.10037 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.7889 & 7890 of 2026 N.Arumugam ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District.

2. The Tahsildar, Kamuthi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

3. The Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department(Additional Charge), Mining and Monitoring Division, Madurai-2.

4. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Public Works Department(WRO), Ramanathapuram.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, issuing a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned letter dated 20.03.2026 made in letter No.17M V.PA/V.A/KO.40(Petition)/2026 on the file of 1/5

2 W.P.(MD)NO.10037 OF 2026 the third respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently to restrain the respondents from establishing the sand quarry at the specified survey Nos.258(PART), 259 and 250 of Mandala Manickam Village, Kamuthi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District and protect the Gundar River bed from ecological degradation. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Udhayakumar For Respondents : Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh, Additional Government Pleader.

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O R D E R

Heard both sides.

2. The petitioner has moved this Court rather prematurely. The petitioner apprehends that there is a proposal to open a sand quarry in Gundar river flowing near the petitioner's village. At this stage, only a proposal has been submitted to the District Collector. Formal permission is yet to be granted.

3. The petitioner can very well come to this Court at that stage as and when permission is granted. We are also confident that 2/5

3 W.P.(MD)NO.10037 OF 2026 without holding a public hearing, such permission will not be granted. We direct the first respondent to hear the affected villagers. The petitioner can participate during the public hearing and ventilate his grievances. If any permission is being granted by the first respondent to open the sand quarry in the petition mentioned Gundar river, a copy of the same shall be immediately furnished to the petitioner so that the petitioner can move this Court again for relief. This writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.) & (B.PUGALENDHI, J.) 09.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No PMU 3/5

4 W.P.(MD)NO.10037 OF 2026 To:

1. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District.

2. The Tahsildar, Kamuthi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

3. The Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department(Additional Charge), Mining and Monitoring Division, Madurai-2.

4. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Public Works Department(WRO), Ramanathapuram.

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5 W.P.(MD)NO.10037 OF 2026 G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.

AND B.PUGALENDHI, J.

PMU W.P.(MD)No.10037 of 2026 09.04.2026 5/5