Bethel Raj I v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P(MD)No.17646 of 2025 I.Bethel Raj ... Petitioner -Vs1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi Division, Tenkasi District.
3.The Tahsildar, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi.
4.The Divisional Engineer (NH), Tamilnadu Road Development Scheme II, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
5.The Manager, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation, Tirunelveli Division, Tirunelveli.
... Respondents 1/5
PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to restore the bus stop with all basic amenities at Melameignanapuram Village on the Tirunelveli - Tenkasi highway based on the petitioner's and village peoples representation dated 21.03.2024, 27.03.2024 and 18.06.2025 and also the resolutions passed in the peace committee meeting held at the second respondent office on 19.03.2024. For Petitioner : Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh For R1 to R4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader For R5 : Mr.K.Ramaiah
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The Writ of Mandamus has been instituted to direct the respondents to restore the bus stop with all basic amenities at Melameignanapuram Village on the Tirunelveli - Tenkasi highway.
2. The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 with reference to the relief sought for in the writ petition would submit that Tirunelveli - Tenkasi Highway is now converted as National Highways under the Act and therefore, the project has been implemented based on the experts report. 2/5
3. All the National Highway projects are being implemented based on the experts opinion and by conducting research on Highway projects. The Court not being an expert body cannot be substituted the views of the expert body for the purpose of construction of bus shelter, over bridges or other facilities to be provided in the National Highway projects. However, this Court is of the considered view that the grievances of the people of that locality also to be looked into by the competent authority since these projects are being implemented for the welfare of the people and for enhancing the transport efficiency of transport system across the State. Therefore, all mitigating factors prevailing and their grievances raised by the people of that locality are also to be looked into in a right spirit and it is to be redressed in the manner known to law.
4. With these observations, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (S.M.S., J.) & (G.A.M., J.) 19.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No am 3/5
To 1.The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi Division, Tenkasi District.
3.The Tahsildar, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi.
4.The Divisional Engineer (NH), Tamilnadu Road Development Scheme II, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
5.The Manager, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation, Tirunelveli Division, Tirunelveli.
4/5
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
am 19.08.2025 5/5