S.Seetharaman v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 21.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P(MD)No.24170 of 2025 S.Seetharaman ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer / Sub Collector, Cheranmahadevi Revenue Division, Cheranmahadevi, 3.The Tahsildar, Ambasamudram Taluk, 4.The District Officer, Fire and Rescue Services, 1/6

5.The Executive Officer (HR&CE), Arulmigu Pillayan Arthasamak Kattalai, Papanasam, No.35, Sudalai Madan Kovil Street, Tirunelveli Town, 6.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu State Highways, 7.The Deputy Director, Ambasamudram Tirger Conservatory, 8.The Forest Ranger Officer, Papanasam Forest Office, Papanasam, ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing these respondents to remove within a time frame, the standing endangering 5 Arujuna Trees (Marutha Maram) in front of the lands in S.No.745/1 and 745/2, ICICI Bank ATM and HP Petrol Bunk in Papanasam Vikramasingapuram - Ambasamudram main road in Vikramasingapuram part-II Revenue Village, in Ambasamudram Taluk in Tirunelveli District as per the representations dated 19-06-2025, given by this petitioner. 2/6

For Petitioner : Mr.F.X.Eugene For Respondents : Mr.M.Gangatharan Government Advocate for R.1 to R.4 & R.6 to R.8 Mr.H.Arumugam for R.5

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2.The petitioner seeks felling of the petition mentioned trees which are located in Government poramboke land. The trees are said to have been planted by the fifth respondent and belong to them. The petitioner's petrol bunk is located in the vicinity. The case of the petitioner is that the trees are quite old and may fall at any moment, thereby posing a grave threat to the petitioner and his employees. Notice was ordered. Forest Department has made it clear that they have no role in the matter.

3.The Tahsildar, Ambasamudram has stated that the trees may fall at any moment and that steps are being taken to fell and remove the same 3/6

through the Highways Department. Since the trees belong to the fifth respondent, the Tahsildar, Ambasamudram shall co-ordinate with the fifth respondent, in consultation with the sixth respondent and provide an appropriate solution to the writ petitioner's grievance. This exercise shall be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4.This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 21.11.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No MGA To 1.The District Collector, 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer / Sub Collector, Cheranmahadevi Revenue Division, Cheranmahadevi, 4/6

3.The Tahsildar, Ambasamudram Taluk, 4.The District Officer, Fire and Rescue Services, 5.The Executive Officer (HR&CE), Arulmigu Pillayan Arthasamak Kattalai, Papanasam, No.35, Sudalai Madan Kovil Street, Tirunelveli Town, 6.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu State Highways, 7.The Deputy Director, Ambasamudram Tirger Conservatory, 8.The Forest Ranger Officer, Papanasam Forest Office, Papanasam, 5/6

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

MGA 21.11.2025 6/6