Ramachandran v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.14362 and 14364 of 2025 Ramachandran ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.
2.The District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram, 3.The Forest Ranger, Rameswaram Range, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned notice U/s. 68 A of Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 by the 3rd respondent dated 24.06.2025 in respect of survey Number No.1026/1, Nedhaji Nagar, Rameswaram Range, Ramanathapuram District and quash the same as illegal and direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's explanation dated 03.07.2025.
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For Petitioner :
Mr.R.Balamuruganantham For Respondents :
Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.] The notice issued for removal of encroachment by the Forest Department in proceedings dated 24.06.2025 is under challenge in the present writ proceedings.
2. The Forest Range Officer, Ramanathapuram Forest Range identified encroachments in the forest area and issued notice for removal of encroachment.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that an explanation has been submitted by the petitioner in response to the notice on 03.07.2025 and the same is pending consideration.
4. In view of the fact that the petitioner has submitted his explanation to the impugned notice, the third respondent is directed to look into the explanation submitted by the petitioner on 03.07.2025 and take a final decision. If any encroachment as alleged is identified 2/4
in the forest area, the same shall be removed by following the procedures as contemplated. The said exercise is directed to be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
5. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
[S.M.S., J.] [A.D.M.C., J.] 10.07.2025 Index:Yes Internet:Yes/No NCC:Yes/No abr To 1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.
2.The District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram, 3.The Forest Ranger, Rameswaram Range, 3/4
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
and DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.
abr 10.07.2025 4/4