Rajendran.M v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.23817 of 2023 M.Rajendran ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The Deputy Director, Pudukkottai Panchayat, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Deputy Director, Pudukkottai Panchayat, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Block Development Office (Village Panchayat), Thiruvarakulam, Pudukkottai District.

6.M.Chithiravel 1/5

7.A.Ramaiah 8.R.Baskar 9.A.Sakthivel ... Respondents (R6 to R9 are impleaded by this Court vide order dated 21.08.2025 in W.M.P.(MD)No.17045 of 2025) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to take appropriate action as to remove the encroachment and restore the Periyakulam and its water channel situated at Survey No.221, 121 and 122 situated at Kothamangalam North Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District and ensure the water body is free from the encroachment and it is available for public use within time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner :Mr.A.L.Kannan For Respondents :Mr.S.Vinodh Government Advocate for R1 to R5

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate for R1 to R5. Issuance of notice to R6 to R9 is dispensed with.

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2. The petitioner is a resident of Kothamangalam North Village, Alangudi Taluk. He alleges that the petition mentioned survey numbers have been classified as water bodies and that the private respondents have encroached thereon.

3. In this view of the matter, we direct the fourth respondent to conduct survey. Notice shall be given to all the interested persons & encroachers before conducting survey. If the survey results indicate that there are encroachments in the water body, the same shall be removed. All the encroachers shall not only be put on notice but also given due opportunity. All the encroachments shall be cleared within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 21.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi 3/5

To 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The Deputy Director, Pudukkottai Panchayat, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Deputy Director, Pudukkottai Panchayat, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Block Development Office (Village Panchayat), Thiruvarakulam, Pudukkottai District.

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

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