Pandiaraj v. The Principal Secretary To Govt./Chairman

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Pandiaraj ... Petitioner -vs1.The Principal Secretary to Government / Chairman Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department TWAD, Chennai-600 009 2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Head of Forest Force) Panagal Maligai Saidapet, Chennai 3.The District Collector Virudhunagar District Virudhunagar 4.The Conservator of Forest Virudhunagar Circle Collectorate, Virudhunagar 5.Wildlife Warden

Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary Opp.Aavin Milk Madurai Road Pillaiyarnatham Post Srivilliputtur-626 101 6.The Commissioner Srivliiputtur Municipality Srivilliputtur Virudhunagar District 7.The Proprietor Sugapriya Mineral Water Company Pillaiyarnatham Srivilliputtur Taluk Virudhunagar District ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 6 to take appropriate action to close the illegal water plant run by the 7th respondent namely Sugapriya Mineral Water Company situated at nearby Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Pillaiyarnatham, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District based on the representation dated 17.08.2019. For Petitioner :

Mr.S.Muniyandi For Respondents :

Mr.P.Thilakkumar Government Pleader for R1 to R5 Mr.J.Parekh Kumar for R6 No appearance for R7

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.] The writ on hand has been instituted seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 6 to take appropriate action to close the water plant illegal run by the seventh respondent, namely, Sugapriya Mineral Water Company, situated at nearby Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Pillaiyarnatham, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 17.08.2019.

2. Learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 5, on instructions, submitted that the alleged mineral water company does not fall within the reserved forest area, but situate inside the eco sensitive area. However, appropriate clearance or permission has not been obtained.

3. In the absence of obtaining any such permission or clearance from the authority concerned, the alleged mineral water company cannot be permitted to run in the eco sensitive area. Therefore, the respondents 3 to 6 are directed to conduct an inspection, verify the legality of the mineral water company and if required, initiate necessary action by following the procedures as contemplated under the law and by affording due opportunity of hearing to

the parties concerned. Such an exercise is directed to be completed within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. With the above observation, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

[S.M.S., J.] [S.S.Y., J.] 03.07.2025 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No krk To:

1.The Principal Secretary to Government / Chairman, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, TWAD, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Head of Forest Force), Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai.

3.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

4.The Conservator of Forest, Virudhunagar Circle,

Collectorate, Virudhunagar.

5.Wildlife Warden, Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Opp.Aavin Milk, Madurai Road, Pillaiyarnatham Post, Srivilliputtur-626 101.

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

and S.SRIMATHY , J.

krk 03.07.2025