Madras High CourtWP(MD)/12438/2017disposed of

S. Natarajan, v. The District Collector,

2017-08-02Honourable Mr Justice K.K. Sasidharan,Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan3 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.08.2017 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.SASIDHARAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P(MD)No.12438 of 2017 S.Natarajan .... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District.

2.The Tahsildar, Puthaloor, Thanjavur District.

3.The Assistant Director, Mines and Minerals Department, Thanjavur.

(Cause title amended vide Court order dated 10.07.2017 in WMP(MD) No.

4.The Superintending Engineer, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

5.The Executive Engineer, Cauvery Division, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

(RR4 and 5 are impleaded vide Court order dated 10.07.2017 in WMP(MD) No.

6.The Superintending Engineer, Chepauk, Chennai.

7.The Executing Engineer, Subramaniyapuram, Trichy.

(R6 and 7 are impleaded vide Court order dated 02.08.2017 in WMP(MD) No.

11204 of 2017.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to stop functioning of the sand quarrying in Vittalapuram and Vanarangudi Village, Puthalur Post, Thanjavur District based on the petitioner's representation dated 08.06.2017.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.A.Punithan For Respondents : Mr.M.Govindan, Spl.GP for R1 to R3

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J) The writ petitioner has filed this petition in the interest of the villagers of Vittalapuram and Vanarangudi Village, Puthaloor Post, Thanjavur District.

2.The ground water level of the said village has been affected on account of indiscriminate sand quarrying. The village people therefore represented to the authorities on 08 June 2017. But, no action has been taken. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3.Since the issue relates to indiscriminate sand quarrying, the issue has to be enquired into by the authorities concerned. 4.We therefore direct the first respondent to consider and dispose of the representation, dated 08 June 2017 submitted by the writ petitioner on merits and as per law, after issuing notice to the parties concerned. The first respondent shall complete the exercise as expeditiously as possible and in any event, within a period of two months from the date receipt of a copy of this order.

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

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(P&A) /True Copy/ Sub-Assistant Registrar

To 1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District.