Renugadevi v. The Superintending Engineer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.01.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH AND THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE Renugadevi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Highways Department, Monitor Committee, No.888, T.V.S.Tollgate, Subramaniapuram, Tiruchirapalli - 620 020.

2.The Commissioner, Tiruchirapalli City Corporation, Cantonment, Tiruchirapalli - 620 001.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, Srirangam Zone, Tiruchirapalli City Corporation, Tiruchirapalli - 620 006.

4.Easwaran 5.E.Mariappan ... Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to remove the encroachments made by the fourth and fifth respondents on the Highway on the east of the property belonging to the petitioner in T.S.No.2362/5 of Block 52 of Ward B of Tiruchirapalli in Thiruvanaikoil Trunk Road, Tiruchirapalli. For Petitioner : Mr.K.M.Vamsidhar For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.S.R.A.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

By consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2. This Writ Petition has been filed for a Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to remove the encroachments made by the fourth and fifth respondents on the Highway on the east of the property belonging to the petitioner in T.S.No.2362/5 of Block 52 of Ward B of Tiruchirapalli in Thiruvanaikoil Trunk Road, Tiruchirapalli.

3. Since no adverse orders are going to be passed against the respondents 4 and 5, notice to the respondents 4 and 5 is hereby dispensed with.

4. The petitioner herein had given a representation to the official respondents on 06.03.2024 to remove the encroachments alleged to have been made by the respondents 4 and 5 in the highway. Since the said representation was not considered, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

5. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon him to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of the India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.

6. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondents 1 to 3 herein to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.03.2024, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after giving due opportunity to the petitioner and the respondents 4 and 5 herein, as well as all other persons, who may be interested in the subject matter, within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this

order. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the concerned respondents to consider the same on its own merits.

7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

(M.S.R.,J.) (A.D.M.C.,J.) 06.01.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Lm To 1.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Highways Department, Monitor Committee, No.888, T.V.S.Tollgate, Subramaniapuram, Tiruchirapalli - 620 020.

2.The Commissioner, Tiruchirapalli City Corporation, Cantonment, Tiruchirapalli - 620 001.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, Srirangam Zone, Tiruchirapalli City Corporation, Tiruchirapalli - 620 006.

M.S.RAMESH,J.

and A.D.MARIA CLETE,J.

Lm 06.01.2025