Jayaraman v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21.07.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE and W.M.P.(MD).No.14760 of 2023 Jayaraman ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
4.The Executive Engineer (WRO), Public Works Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
5.The Tahsildar, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.
6.Balu @ Baluchamy ... Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents No.1 to 5 to conduct public auction to lease out the rights to cut the Velikaruvela trees standing in Kalkulam Kanmai situated at Survey No.1, Vembangudi Village Group, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Karthick for Mr.V.Kannan For R-1 to R-5 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader For R-6 : Mr.K.Gokul
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) Writ of Mandamus has been instituted to direct the respondents 1 to 5 to conduct public auction to lease out the rights to cut the Velikaruvela trees standing in Kalkulam Kanmai situated at Survey No.1, Vembangudi Village Group, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.
2. The direction as such sought for to conduct public auction cannot be granted by the High Court. It is an administrative decision to be taken by the competent authorities in public interest. However, the authorities are bound to look into the necessity to remove karuvelam trees and initiate all appropriate actions.
3. Pursuant to the interim order passed by this Court on 21.07.2023, the petitioner has deposited a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs only) to the credit of the Revenue Divisional Officer/third respondent in Tamil Nadu Grama Bank, Sivagangai, vide Demand Draft No.039273. Since the Writ Petition has been disposed of, the Revenue Divisional Officer/third respondent is directed to refund the deposited amount to the petitioner within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If the said amount has been deposited in an interest bearing deposit scheme, then the refund is to be made along with the interest. If not, the deposited amount alone is to be refunded.
4. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (S.M.S.,J.) (A.D.M.C.,J.) 21.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Lm
To 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
4.The Executive Engineer (WRO), Public Works Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
5.The Tahsildar, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J.
and DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE,J.
Lm 21.07.2025