Murugesan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 27.09.2021 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND The HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY and W.M.P.(MD) No.14135 of 2021 Murugesan .. Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 2.The Tahsildar, Thirumayam Taluk Office,

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Thirumayam Post, .. Respondents PRAYER: Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to forthwith remove the encroachments made on the Thekkatur Periya Kanmoi comprised in S.No.362/3 of Thekattur Revenue Village, Thiruvanai, Pudukkottai District on the basis of the representation dated 22.06.2021 sent by the petitioner within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.B.Jameel Arasu For Respondents : Mr.B.Saravanan, Government Advocate

ORDER

[Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble CHIEF JUSTICE] The grievance of the petitioner is that a waterbody by the name of Thekkatur Periya Kanmoi in S.No.362/3 of Thekattur Village, Thiruvanai, Pudukkottai District has been encroached on and repeated representations to the respondent authorities have fallen on deaf ears.

2.It has been emphasized in several orders of this Court that waterbodies must be left without any encroachment or impediment. 1/3

3.Mr.B.Saravanan, learned government advocate appears on behalf of the respondent Nos.1 to 3 and says that the third respondentAssistant Executive Engineer of Public Works Department, Thirumayam would be the appropriate authority to look into the petitioner's grievance.

4.Accordingly, W.P.(MD).No.14473 of 2021 is disposed of by permitting the petitioner to carry a fresh, detailed representation in respect of the matters complained of to the third respondentAssistant Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Thirumavam. Upon receiving the representation, the concerned official will immediately conduct an inquiry by issuing notice to the petitioner and all others likely to be affected by the inquiry. In the event the official finds any encroachment, immediate appropriate steps should be taken for the removal thereof, including by referring the matter to the appropriate authorities.

5.The encroachers, if any, must be given prior notice before steps are taken against them in accordance with law. 6.W.M.P(MD).No.14135 of 2021 is closed. There will be no order as to costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (Crl side) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) PM/PJL 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 District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 2.The Tahsildar, Thirumavam Taluk Office, 2/3

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Thirumavam Post, +1 CC to M/s.SPL.GP ( SR-30471[F] dated 28/09/2021 ) 27.09.2021 RK (05.10.2021) 3P 5C 3/3