Muniappan.S v. The Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.07.2021

CORAM:

The Hon'ble Mr.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM AND The Hon'ble Mrs.JUSTICE S.ANANTHI and W.M.P(MD) No.9607 of 2021 S.Muniappan

...Petitioner

Vs.

1.The Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Aruppukkottai Taluk, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District.

3.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, O/o.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, Virudhunagar District - 626 002.

4.The Tahsildar, O/o. The Tahsildar, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District.

5.The Block Development Officer, M.Reddiapatti, Thiruchuli Taluk, Virudhunagar District - 626 118.

6.The Village Administrative Officer, Kalloorani Village, Aruppukkottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District - 626 105.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of writ of Mandamus to direct the Respondents 1 to 6 not to lay the road of villages comprising in Survey Numbers 118 and 119 covering the villages of Kalloorani to Aladipatti and Meenakshipuram village of Aruppukottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District, without safeguarding the Velankulam Kanmoi and its ecology by considering the petitioner's representation sent to the respondents 1 to 6 dated 08.06.2021 in the interest of the villagers and their agricultural operations.

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For Petitioner : Mr.L.Prabhu For Respondents 1 to 4 : Mr.R.Baskaran, Standing Counsel for Government For 5th Respondent : Mr.M.Lingadurai, Government Advocate

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J.] Heard Mr.L.Prabhu, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr.R.Baskaran, learned Standing counsel for Government appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and Mr.M.Lingadurai, learned Government Advocate appearing for the fifth respondent. 2.The petitioner seeks for a direction upon the respondents 1 to 6 not to lay the road of villages comprising in Survey Numbers 118 and 119 covering the villages of Kalloorani to Aladipatti and Meenakshipuram village of Aruppukottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District, without safeguarding the Velankulam Kanmoi and its ecology by considering this representation sent to the respondents 1 to 6 dated 08.06.2021 in the interest of the villagers and their agricultural operations.

3.The representation given by the petitioner has evoked response at the hands of the Officials and the second respondent by communication, dated 21.06.2021 has directed the fifth respondent Block Development Officer, to take action in accordance with law. 4.Probably due to Covid-19 pandemic, the authorities were not able to proceed further and as of now since the lock down conditions has been relaxed by the Government, the authorities are directed to proceed further in furtherance to the communication of the second respondent, dated 21.06.2021, appropriate action be initiated as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-I) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) 2/3

rm Note In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.

To 1.The Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Aruppukkottai Taluk, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District.

3.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, O/o.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, Virudhunagar District - 626 002.

4.The Tahsildar, O/o. The Tahsildar, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District.

5.The Block Development Officer, M.Reddiapatti, Thiruchuli Taluk, Virudhunagar District - 626 118.

6.The Village Administrative Officer, Kalloorani Village, Aruppukkottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District - 626 105 20.07.2021 ES(CO) KB(30.07.2021) 3P 7C 3/3