Muthuselvan. T v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 04.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.17141 of 2021 T.Muthuselvan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Pudukkottai Collectorate, Pudukkottai.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Aranthangi, 4.The Tahsildar, 5.The Block Development Officer, Aranthangi, 1/5

6.The President, Alianilai Village Panchayat, 7.Sathaiah ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 4th respondent to conduct the survey as per request of the 5th respondents by his proceedings Na.Ka.2701/2020/Thee3 dated 27.01.2021 consequently direct the 4th and 5th respondents to remove the encroachment in water catchment area in Umaiyaan Yeri situate in S.F.Nos.159 and 169 of Aalapiranthan Revenue Village, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District made by the 7th respondent and restore the same in original capacity. For Petitioner :Mr.A.Arul Jenifer For Respondents :Mr.M.Siddharthan Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R6 : No appearance for R7

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the writ petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader for the official respondents. 2/5

2. The writ petitioner is a resident of Alianilai Village. His specific allegation is that in Survey No.159 and Survey No.169, there are encroachments. He wants the same to be removed.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents confirm that Survey No.159 as well as Survey No.169 of Alianilai Village in Aranthangi Taluk, have been classified as water bodies ('lake' and 'vari' respectively).

4. In this view of the matter, we direct the fourth respondent to conduct survey. Notice shall be given to all the interested persons & encroachers before conducting survey. If the survey results indicate that there are encroachments in the water body, the same shall be removed. All the encroachers shall not only be put on notice but also given due opportunity. All the encroachments shall be cleared within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 04.12.2025 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi 3/5

To 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Pudukkottai Collectorate, Pudukkottai.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Aranthangi, 4.The Tahsildar, 5.The Block Development Officer, Aranthangi, 6.The President, Alianilai Village Panchayat, 4/5

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

rmi W.P(MD)No.17141 of 2021 04.12.2025 5/5