Kannan v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.04.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN Kannan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Madurai District, Madurai.
2.The Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Madurai.
3.The Executive Engineer, Periyar Main Canal Division, Water Resources Department, Melur, Madurai District.
4.Selvam ... Respondents 1/6
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to cancel the fishing rights granted in favour of the fourth respondent vide proceedings No.30/E/2025 dated 10.07.2025, for violation of the conditions of the lease, based on the petitioner's representation dated 31.01.2026, and consequently restrain the fourth respondent or any person claiming under him from carrying out any fishing or related activities in the said Kanmai illegally.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Pragadesh Ganapathy For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R1 to R3) Special Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the second respondent to cancel the fishing rights granted in favour of the fourth respondent vide proceedings No.30/E/2025 dated 10.07.2025, on the ground of violation of the lease conditions, based on the petitioner's representation dated 31.01.2026, and consequently to restrain 2/6
the fourth respondent or any person claiming under him from carrying out any fishing or related activities in the said kanmai illegally. 2.The grievance of the petitioner is that, though the fourth respondent obtained fishing rights through an e-auction held on 10.07.2025, he has violated the conditions imposed by the second respondent by unlawfully granting a sub-lease to one Saravanakani. It is further alleged that the fourth respondent has also granted rights to one Rajendran to pluck lotus from the said kanmai. According to the petitioner, one of the primary conditions of the lease is that the successful bidder shall not grant any sublease. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation to the official respondents seeking cancellation of the fishing rights granted in favour of the fourth respondent. Since the same has not been considered thus far, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition. 3.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the 3/6
official respondents submitted that the petitioner's representation would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed on merits and in accordance with law within the time stipulated by this Court. 4.In view of the above, this Court, without going into the merits of the claim made by the petitioner, directs the concerned authority to consider the petitioner's representation dated 31.01.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner, the fourth respondent, as well as any other interested parties. Such exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5.With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 10.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No 4/6
Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps To 1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Madurai District, Madurai.
2.The Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Madurai.
3.The Executive Engineer, Periyar Main Canal Division, Water Resources Department, Melur, Madurai District.
5/6
N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
ps DATED : 10.04.2026 6/6