R.Vidhyadharan v. The District Colelctor

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.10.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.24023 of 2018 R.Vidhyadharan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Kanniyakumari District.

2.The Assistant Director, Mines and Minerals Department, Kanniyakumari District.

3.The Assistant Director (Panchayat), Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District.

4.E.G.Ravishankar 5.K.Selvaraj 6.K.Durairaj (R4 to R6 are impleaded vide order dated 12.12.2018 in W.M.P.(MD)No.21990 of 2018) ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents to implement the letter No.Va4/20214/2016 dated 02.12.2016 from the 1st respondent by 1/4

considering the petitioner's representation dated 20.10.2016 and take necessary action against the illegal activities in the Thamirabarani river bank, vilavancode Panchayath.

For Petitioner :Mr.M.Krishna Steethar For Respondents :Mr.Veerakathiravan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.K.Balasubramani Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3 : Mr.M.Mohamed Nihal for M/s.Ajmal Assocaites for R5 & R6 : No appearance for R4

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2. The petitioner lodged representation before the District Collector, Kanniyakumari complaining that in Vilavancode Taluk, illicit sand mining is taking place. The petitioner has also named three individuals who are running brick kiln units. The District Collector called upon the Assistant Director of Geology and Mining, Kanniyakumari District to take further action in the matter. The petitioner alleges that this communication dated 02.12.2016 sent by the District Collector was not acted upon. This writ petition has been pending for more than six years. When we nudged the respondents to take 2/4

further action in the matter, the Assistant Director of Geology and Mining has filed the counter affidavit. Inspection was conducted and the Assistant Director also noticed quite a few violations. We call upon the authorities concerned particularly the jurisdictional RDO to take further action in the matter and take the issue to its logical end. The District Collector, Kanniyakumari shall monitor that this direction is scrupulously complied with.

3. The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 15.10.2024 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi To 1.The District Collector, Kanniyakumari District.

2.The Assistant Director, Mines and Minerals Department, Kanniyakumari District.

3.The Assistant Director (Panchayat), Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District.

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

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