Jayaraman v. The Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 08.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN and W.M.P(MD)Nos.16699, 16700, 16702, 16735, 16732 and 16733 of 2025 W.P(MD)No.21608 of 2025 Jayaraman ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Forest Head Quarters Building, Near Kannikapuram Check Post, Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32.
2.The District Forest Officer, Madurai District, 3.The Forest Officer, Sholavanthan Forest Region, T.Aundipatty, 4.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department (WRO), Vadipatti, Madurai District.
...Respondents
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Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for records relating to the proceedings of the first respondent made in Na.Ka.No. SF1/252/2025 dated 14.02.2025 and the consequential proceedings of the second respondent made in Na.Ka.No.Aa3/3326/2020 dated 30.05.2025, in respect of 1987, Vadakarai Bit V, Sholavandan Forest Range, and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 3 to extend the period for cut and remove the trees from 1987 Vadakarai Bit V, for the Extent of 22 Hectare.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murali For Respondents : Mr.K.R.Badurus Zaman Government Advocate W.P(MD)No.21609 of 2025 Jayaraman ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Forest Head Quarters Building, Near Kannikapuram Check Post, Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32.
2.The District Forest Officer, Madurai District, 3.The Forest Officer, Sholavanthan Forest Region, 2/7
T.Aundipatty, 4.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department (WRO), Vadipatti, Madurai District.
...Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for records relating to the proceedings of the first respondent made in Na.Ka.No. SF1/252/2025 dated 14.02.2025 and the consequential proceedings of the second respondent made in Na.Ka.No.Aa3/3326/2020 dated 30.05.2025, in respect of 1983, Vadakarai Bit III, Sholavandan Forest Range, and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 3 to extend the period for cut and remove the trees from 1983 Vadakarai Bit III, for the Extent of 47.50 Hectare.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murali For Respondents : Mr.K.R.Badurus Zaman Government Advocate COMMON ORDER These writ petitions have been filed challenging the respective impugned orders dated 14.02.2025 passed by the first respondent and the consequential order passed by the second respondent, dated 30.05.2025, 3/7
wherein, the petitioner's request for extension of the period for clearing the Karuvelam Trees has been rejected.
2. The petitioner was awarded contracts in the year 2019 and 2020 for a period of one year. However, the period was extended due to the out break of Covid -19 Pandemic, which has been repeatedly extended on payment of additional amounts. There was further growth of trees. The petitioner now seeks one more extension, which has been now rejected by the impugned order of the first respondent and implemented by the second respondent.
3. The petitioner cannot claim an exclusive right merely by stating that the petitioner was willing to pay an additional amount in equivalent proportion of 10% of the original bid amount, in response to the respective tenders floated in the year 2019 and 2020.
4. The respondents are duty bound to auction such rights. It is open to the petitioner to participate in the tender. If the bid accepted, the respondents may award the contract to the petitioner.
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5. Under these circumstances, these writ petitions are liable to be dismissed and accordingly, dismissed.
6. It is however made clear that the respondents shall proceed to auction the rights as expeditiously as possible, following the due procedure under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Transparency Tender Act and Rules made therein under. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
08.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No sn To 1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Forest Head Quarters Building, Near Kannikapuram Check Post, Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32.
2.The District Forest Officer, Madurai District, 5/7
3.The Forest Officer, Sholavanthan Forest Region, T.Aundipatty, 4.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department (WRO), Vadipatti, Madurai District.
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C.SARAVANAN, J.
sn W.P(MD).Nos.21608 and 21609 of 2025 08.08.2025 7/7