M.Rajendran v. The Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN M.Rajendran ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Secretary, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Secretary, Finance Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3.The Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
4.The Principal Chief Engineer, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
5.The District Collector, Thiruchirappalli District,
6.The Executive Engineer, RC Division, Cantonment, 7.The Executive Engineer, Mining and Superintending Division, Trichy - 620 020.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Mandamus, (i) to submit a detailed report of the respondents, in respect of the servere damage caused to the Colleron Bridge and Mukkambu Dam and about the illegal quarrying operation of the river took placed in the five villages at Kondayampettai, Kariyamanikam, Thiruvasi, Kiliyanallur and Amoor. (ii) to invite a CBI or CBCID to probe illegalities, irregularities, action and inactions involved in the course of illegal quarry operation, from the stage of getting no objection certificates received from various Departments, for submitting the proposal, of the seventh respondent for quarrying the river sand to the stage of completion of quarry operation in the about said 5 villages at Kondayampettai, Kariyamanikam, Thiruvasi, Kiliyanallur and Amoor Villages to bring out the real damage caused to the Colleron Bridge and Mukkambu Dam (Upper Dam) and to file a detailed report. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Rajendran (Party-in-Person) For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) With reference to the allegations of illegal quarrying operations set out in the Writ Petition, the Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, Trichy filed a counter affidavit that the mining operations have been stopped. Paragraphs 25 and 26 of the counter reads as under: "25) It is humbly submitted that the sand mining operation done as per the Environment impact assessment notification. The sand quarries proposed are to be got approved by the SEIAA and the District Collectors in quarry operation, there are no violations of rules and regulations of Tamilnadu mines, minerals concession rules and also the directions issued by the court.
26) It is humbly submitted that the as per the GOMS. No. 95 Industrial (mmcl) department dated 01.10.2003 in the state of Tamilnadu quarry operation is done only by Public works Department and that un scientific quarry is totally eliminated as per the Environment Impact Assessment notification dated 14.09.2006. All the Anicuts, Barrage, Tanks are well maintained by PWD proper care has been taken in the Cauvery and Coleroon river related Hydraulic structures. Hence the petitioner's statement of finding fault with Bureaucrats and Technocrats without clear idea and rules and regulations is false."
2. In respect of the actions taken by the Water Resources Department, if any illegal quarrying operations are identified or any informations have been received, the police authorities in coordination with the departmental authorities have to register criminal cases and prosecute the offenders. It is the duty mandated on the authorities to ensure that the illegal quarrying operations have been stopped.
3. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
(S.M.S.,J.) (G.A.M.,J.) 11.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Lm To 1.The Secretary, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Secretary, Finance Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3.The Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
4.The Principal Chief Engineer, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
5.The District Collector, Thiruchirappalli District, 6.The Executive Engineer, RC Division, Cantonment, 7.The Executive Engineer, Mining and Superintending Division, Trichy - 620 020.
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J.
and G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.
Lm 11.08.2025