Mani Murugan, v. State Of Tamil Nadu,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.03.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.15029 of 2018 and W.M.P.(MD)No.13567 of 2018 Mani Murugan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Fort St.George, Chennai.

2.The District Collector, O/o.The District Collector, 3.The Chief Engineer (Thanjavur Region), Water Resources Organisation, Public Works Department, 4.The Junior Engineer, Water Resources Organisation, Public Works Department, Agniyar Kottam, 1/5

Pattukottai, 5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o.Revenue Divisional Office, 6.The Tahsildar, Thanjavur Taluk, 7.Velusamy 8.Balusamy 9.Ravichandran ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 6 herein to remove the encroachments made in Vallamar Lake Survey Nos.105 to 109 etc., Kurungulam Panchayat, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 09.06.2018. For Petitioner :Mr.K.Veilmuthu For Respondents :Mr.S.R.A.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R6 : Mr.C.Padmaraj for R7 2/5

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader for the official respondents.

2. Though the interim prayer is regarding illicit quarrying of sand that had taken place in Vallamar Lake in Survey Nos.105 to 109 of Kurungulam Panchayat, the main prayer is for removal of the encroachment.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader does not dispute the character of the survey numbers set out in the writ prayer. He states that some individuals appear to have encroached upon the lake area and are using it for cultivation purpose. Encroachment on the water body is impermissible. Even the catchment area cannot be encroached upon. We direct the fourth respondent to issue notice to the encroachers immediately and ensure that in future, the said water body is kept free of encroachment for all times to come.

4. The Writ Petition is allowed on these terms. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 24.03.2025 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi 3/5

To 1.The Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Fort St.George, Chennai.

2.The District Collector, O/o.The District Collector, 3.The Chief Engineer (Thanjavur Region), Water Resources Organisation, Public Works Department, 4.The Junior Engineer, Water Resources Organisation, Public Works Department, Agniyar Kottam, Pattukottai, 5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o.Revenue Divisional Office, 6.The Tahsildar, Thanjavur Taluk, 4/5

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

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