Deivanai v. The Director General Of Forests And
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.23764 of 2025 1.Deivanai 2.A.Prabhu ... Petitioners Vs 1.The Director General of Forests and Special Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
2.The Deputy Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Integrated Regional Office, 1st and 2nd Floor, Handloom Export Promotion Council, 34, Cathedral Garden Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3.The Deputy Conservator of Forests (Central) Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forest Regional Office (Southern Zone), Kendriya Sadam, 4th Floor, E and F Wing 17th Main Road, 2nd Block Koramangala, Bangalore-560 034.
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4.The Secretary to Government, Department of Environment and Climate Change and Forests, St.George Fort, Chennai District.
5.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
6.The District Forest Officer, O/o. The District Forest Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
7.The Forest Settlement Officer, Collectorate Campus, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to sanction the prior approval as mandated under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to de-reserve the land in respect of S.Nos.243 / 2 and 243 / 3 measuring 0.76.0 Hectares and 0.78.0 Hectares respectively situated in Aranmanaisiruvayal North village of Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District from the classification of reserved forest for the issuance of patta to the applicants in compliance of the judgment and decree dated 05.03.1984 passed in C.M.A.Nos.4 and 5 of 1983 on the file of the learned District Judge, Ramananthapuram, by considering the petitioners' representation dated 20.03.2024. For Petitioners : Mr.K.Chengizkhan For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.V.Vanagamudi 2/6
For R-4 to R-7 : Mrs.S.Jeyapriya, Government Advocate
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to sanction the prior approval as mandated under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to de-reserve the land in respect of S.Nos.243 / 2 and 243 / 3 measuring 0.76.0 Hectares and 0.78.0 Hectares respectively situated in Aranmanaisiruvayal North village of Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District from the classification of reserved forest for the issuance of patta to the applicants in compliance of the judgment and decree dated 05.03.1984 passed in C.M.A.Nos.4 and 5 of 1983 on the file of the learned District Judge, Ramananthapuram, by considering the petitioners' representation dated 20.03.2024.
2. It is the case of the petitioners that they seek de-reservation of the land comprised in Survey Nos.243/2 and 243/3, measuring 0.76.0 Hectares and 0.78.0 Hectares, situated at Aranmanai Siruvayal North Village, Karaikudi Taluk and also for issuance of patta to the above said land to the applicants. In this regard, the petitioners submitted a representation to the respondents on 20.03.2024. However, the same has not been considered till date. Hence, the petitioners have filed the present writ petition.
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3. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the official respondents would submit that the petitioners' representation would be considered in accordance with law.
4. In view of the above, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, directs the respondents to pass appropriate orders on the petitioners' representation dated 20.03.2024, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
5. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. 28.01.2026 Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No TSG To 1.The Director General of Forests and Special Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
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2.The Deputy Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Integrated Regional Office, 1st and 2nd Floor, Handloom Export Promotion Council, 34, Cathedral Garden Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3.The Deputy Conservator of Forests (Central) Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forest Regional Office (Southern Zone), Kendriya Sadam, 4th Floor, E and F Wing 17th Main Road, 2nd Block Koramangala, Bangalore-560 034.
4.The Secretary to Government, Department of Environment and Climate Change and Forests, St.George Fort, Chennai District.
5.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
6.The District Forest Officer, O/o. The District Forest Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
7.The Forest Settlement Officer, Collectorate Campus, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.
TSG W.P.(MD)No.23764 of 2025 28.01.2026 6/6