A.L. Kanagambal v. The Registrar

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :18.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY A.L. Kanagambal ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Registrar, Tamilnadu State Information Commission, No.19, Government Farm House, Panpet, (Pension Pay Office Back Side), Nandhanam, Chennai - 600035.

2. The First Appellate Authority/the Superintending Engineer, Water Resource Department, Lower Vaigai Basin Circle, Sivagangai Collectorate,

3. The Public Information Officer / the Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department, Manimutharu Basin Division, Devakottai - 630 303.

4. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department, Manimutharu Basin Sub Division, 1/6

5. The Public Information Office and Head Quarters Deputy Tahsildhar, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to take action against the third respondent/ Public Information officer U/s.20(1),(2) and 19 (8) (b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 for non-providing the exact and clear information in nutshell to the petitioner for her petition dated 08.05.2022 made U/s. 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 and for the non-compliance of the order passed by the first respondent in SA.13735/B/2022 dated 18.02.2025 and based on the representation of the petitioner dated 13.03.2025 within a time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr. S.Mohamed Kadhar For Respondents : Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh for R1 Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate for R2 to R5

O R D E R

The petitioner asserts that the only source of irrigation for his lands is from Poyyalur Kanmai. When he attempted to utilise the said water, he was prevented from doing so. Therefore, he had requested for the basis on which he was restrained from utilising the water of the Poyyalur Kanmai. The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking action against the third respondent/Public Information Officer under Section 20 2/6

of the Right to Information Act, 2005, for the alleged failure to provide correct information.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner referred to the order dated 18.02.2025 of the first respondent and contended that the correct information was not provided even pursuant to such order.

3. Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh, learned counsel, accepts notice for the first respondent and learned Government Advocate accepts notice for respondents 2 to 5. Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh invited my attention to the communication dated 13.04.2022 from the third respondent and pointed out that the petitioner was informed that he could utilise the water from the Mandayapatti Kanmai and that he should not utilise the water from the Poyyalur Kanmai. He also points out that the order of the first respondent was complied with by providing the information requested for under communications dated 04.03.2025 and 05.03.2025.

4. On perusal of the above documents, particularly letters dated 04.03.2025 and 05.03.2025, I am satisfied that the requested information was provided to the petitioner. The petitioner has also not lodged a 3/6

complaint under Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, or complied with the observations in the check slip dated 08.05.2025. In those circumstances, I see no reason to exercise discretionary jurisdiction in favour of the petitioner. Therefore, this Writ Petition is dismissed without any order as to costs.

NCS : Yes/No 18.11.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No apd To

1. The First Appellate Authority/the Superintending Engineer, Water Resource Department, Lower Vaigai Basin Circle, Sivagangai Collectorate,

2. The Public Information Officer / the Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department, Manimutharu Basin Division, Devakottai - 630 303.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department, Manimutharu Basin Sub Division,

4. The Public Information Office and 4/6

Head Quarters Deputy Tahsildhar, 5/6

SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY.,J.

apd ORDER MADE IN 18.11.2025 6/6