S.Kamaraj @ Muthalankurichi v. Union Of India,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN S.Kamaraj @ Muthalankurichi Kamaraj ... Petitioner Vs.

1. Union of India, Rep.By the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govt., of India, 501, "C" Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 015.

2. Archaeological Survey of India, Rep.By the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi-110 011.

3. The State of Tamilnadu, Rep.By its Secretary to Dept., of School Education and Sports and Youth Welfare (Archaeology), Fort.St.George, Chennai.

4. State of Tamilnadu, Rep.By the Commissioner, Dept., of Archaeology, Tamil Valarchi Valaagam, Thamizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.

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5. The Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore Circle, 5th Floor, 5 Wing, Kendriya Sadan, 17th Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore.

6. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tutocorin.

7. The Registrar, Tamil University, Thanjavur 613 010.

8. The Registrar, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

... Respondents (R7 and R8 suo motu impleaded vide Court Order dated 07.12.2020 in W.P.(MD). 3006/2019) PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to take action for excavation and scientific research in the Archaeological site of Sivagalai, Srivaikuntam Taluk, Thoothukudi District, within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Alagumani For Respondents : Mr.C.Nandagopal, CGSPC for R1 Mr.R.Murugapan, for R2 and R5 Mr.P.Thilakkumar, Government Pleader for R3, R4 and R6 2/5

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that pursuant to the directions issued by this Court in this writ petition, excavation and scientific research were carried out in Sivagalai, Srivaikuntam Taluk, Thoothukudi District and that the excavation report has been published by the Government based on the findings of the expert body, which states that the State Government, by carrying out the directions of this Court, has substantially completed the excavation work in the Sivagalai, Srivaikuntam Taluk, Thoothukudi District. The excavated work during the first phase of excavation are likely to be displayed in the Porunai Museum at Athichanallur, in the next year.

2. Recording the said submission, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. [G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.] 02.12.2025 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes TSG 3/5

To

1. The Secretary to Dept., of School Education and Sports and Youth Welfare (Archaeology), State of Tamilnadu, Fort.St.George, Chennai.

2. The Commissioner, State of Tamil Nadu, Dept., of Archaeology, Tamil Valarchi Valaagam, Thamizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.

3. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tutocorin.

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DR.

G. JAYACHANDRAN , J.

AND K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN, J.

TSG 02.12.2025 5/5