K.Muthukumar v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN K.Muthukumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Chief Engineer, 3.The Chief Superintending Engineer, 4.The Assistant Engineer, 1/6

5.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department Office, Melur Taluk, Madurai 625 106.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to forthwith consider the petitioner's representation dated 23.10.2025 and consequently permit the petitioner to draw water from the Periyar Main Irrigation Channel Madais No.15 and 17, for the purpose of irrigating his patta lands comprised in Survey Nos.12/8D3 and 12/8D2 measuring an extent of 2.32 1⁄2 acres and 1.1 Hectares Ares respectively situated at Kunnathur Village, Madurai East Taluk, Madurai District.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Leninkumar For Respondents : Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan, Addl. Government Pleader.

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2/6

2.The writ petitioner is a Village Administrative Officer. He owns the petition mentioned lands that belonged to his father-in-law. The petitioner has planned plantain trees. He seeks permission to draw water from the petition mentioned channel.

3.Ms.K.Indumathi, fourth respondent herein is present in person. She states that on account of the topographical location, water from the petition mentioned channel could not reach the petitioner's lands and that therefore, the petitioner illegally installed pipe lines to draw water by deploying motor. This had to be dismantled as it was illegal. The stand of the department is that those farmers who can draw water by natural gravity alone can get water from the petition mentioned channel and mechanical means cannot be permitted.

4.The petitioner has made a request to the fourth respondent. I direct the fourth respondent to pass a speaking order on the petitioner's representation immediately and serve the same on him. It is for the fourth respondent to clarify the avenues open to the writ petitioner to 3/6

fulfil his water requirements. I have not gone into the merits of the matter.

5.This writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. 04.11.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No ias Issue order copy on 04.11.2025.

To:

1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Chief Engineer, 3.The Chief Superintending Engineer, 4/6

4.The Assistant Engineer, 5.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department Office, Melur Taluk, Madurai 625 106.

5/6

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

ias 04.11.2025 6/6