V.Maharajan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 03.09.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.16722 of 2024 V.Maharajan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

2.The Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

4.The Tahsildar, Nilakkottai Taluk, Dindigul District.

5.S.Ramesh 6.The Deputy Director of Geology and Mining, Dindigul.

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7.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nilakkottai.

(R6 & R7 are suo motu impleaded vide order dated 06.08.2024 by GRSJ & BPJ) ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to take necessary action against the 5th respondent and other similar illegal sand mining mafias and prevent the same on Vaigai River, Aanaipatti, Siddharnatham, Nilakkottai Taluk, Dindigul District, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 22.06.2024 and to take necessary action against the erring officials. For Petitioner :Mr.S.Sathyachidambaram For Respondents :Mr.Veerakathiravan Additional Advocate General III assisted by Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh Additional Government Pleader for R1, R2, R4, R6 & R7 : Mr.Vaikkam Karunanidhi Government Advocate for R3

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Advocate General assisted by the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents. 2/4

2. The petitioner alleged that illicit sand mining has taken place in the petition mentioned village. The photographs enclosed in the typed set of papers clearly bear out the allegations made by the petitioner. We thereupon issued series of directions.

3. The learned Additional Advocate General submitted that pursuant to the direction given by this Court, necessary action has been taken. The jurisdictional VAO has been suspended. Charges are to be framed against the jurisdictional Tahsildar. The jurisdictional police have also taken effective steps and seized two lorries and one JCB.

4. We are satisfied that effective follow up action has been taken. No further order is required. The Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 03.09.2024 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi 3/4

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J and B.PUGALENDHI, J.

rmi To 1.The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

2.The Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

4.The Tahsildar, Nilakkottai Taluk, Dindigul District.

5.The Deputy Director of Geology and Mining, Dindigul.

6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nilakkottai.

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