Vilvalingam v. The Government Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 26.07.2017 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.SASIDHARAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P(MD)No.12312 of 2017 Vilvalingam ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Chennai.

2. The Director, Geology and Mining Department, Guindy, Chennai.

3. The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, (Water Resources), River Safety Division, Chepauk, Chennai.

4. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

5. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.

6. The Tahsildar, Mudukulathur Taluk,

7. The Tahsildar, Kadaladi Taluk,

8. The Divisional Engineer, Public Works Department, (Kundar Water Resources Division), Madurai.

... Respondents

Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to take action against the illegal sand quarrying operations in Kadaladi and Mudukulathur Taluk, Ramanathapuram District and consequently direct the respondents to ensure that no sand quarrying is carried in Kadaladi and Mudukulathur Taluk, For Petitioner : Mr.R.Venkatesan For Respondents : Mr.M.Govindan, Spl.G.P

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.) The petitioner seeks direction for taking action in respect of illegal sand quarrying that is taking place in Kadaladi and Mudukulathur Taluks in Ramanathapuram District. 2.On notice, the respondents filed a status report dated 21.07.2017 and also a typed set of papers. It is seen that certain individuals were found indulging in sand theft and illegal quarrying and Crime No.20/2017 and Crime No.83/2017 have been registered on the file of the Elanjambur Police Station and Mudukulathur Police Station respectively.

3.In the said status report, the actions taken namely, seizure of unauthorized sand stock, register of criminal cases and levy of penalty by the authorities have been catalogued. 4.We place the said status report on record. We direct the respondents 4 to 8 to conduct periodical inspections and monitor the situation closely and carefully and ensure that no illegal sand quarrying takes place.

5.The writ petition is disposed of with the above observation. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(AE) /True copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To

1. The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Public Works Department, Chennai.

2. The Director, Geology and Mining Department, Guindy, Chennai.

3. The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, (Water Resources), River Safety Division, Chepauk, Chennai.

4. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

5. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.

6.The Tahsildar, Mudukulathur Taluk,

7. The Tahsildar,Kadaladi Taluk,

8. The Divisional Engineer, Public Works Department, (Kundar Water Resources Division), Madurai.

+1 cc to The Special Government Pleader in SR.No.68721 Skm/Arul AE/JC SAR2/08.08.2017/3P/10C W.P(MD)No.12312 of 2017 26.07.2017