Mohamed Habeeb Rahman M v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA Writ Petition(MD)No.32763 of 2025 M.Mohamed Habeeb Rahman .. Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Commissioner, Municipality Office, Keelakkarai, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Municipal Engineer, Municipality Office, Keelakkarai, Ramanathapuram District.

4.The Manager, Municipal Office, Keelakkarai, Ramanathapuram District.

5.Sheik Hussain 6.The Director of Municipal Administration, 75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Chennai -28.

.. Respondents (R6 is suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 20.11.2025 in W.P(MD).No.32763 of 2025) 1/5

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents 2 to 4 to return the petitioner's contribution of Rs.4,10,000/- in time period fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Sheik Abdullah For Respondents : Mr.A.Kannan (for R1) Additional Government Pleader Mr.K.Saravanan (for R2)

ORDER

The Director of Municipal Administration, Chennai, is suo motu impleaded as party in the matter.

2. This writ petition has been filed seeking for the issuance of mandamus directing the respondents 2 to 4 to return the petitioner's contribution of Rs.4,10,000/- in time period fixed by this Court.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that he has been undertaking social work for the benefit of society and contributing to various charitable organizations, particularly, temples for its development. He also contributed to the State Government Scheme, namely, 'Namakku Naamey Plan'. On coming to know of the same, the third respondent approached the petitioner seeking contribution under the said scheme for installation of a High-mast solar lighting system for the benefit of general public in and around 2/5

Keelakkarai Municipality. Upon consultation with the respondents 2 to 4, a sum of Rs.4,10,000/- was fixed for the project and the respondents 2 to 4 assured the petitioner that the work was not completed within 60 days, the amount would be refunded to him. Believing their assurance, the petitioner paid the said sum. However, even after nearly two years, the project work has not been commenced. In this regard, the petitioner has made several requests to the respondents 2 to 4 both through phone call and through his staff, but no response was forthcoming. Thereafter, the petitioner sent a representation to the respondents seeking refund of his contribution amount. However, the same has not been considered so far. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the second respondent has produced a communication dated 19.11.2025 stating that they have given up the project of installation of High mast Solar LED Street line, instead, they proposed to provide CCTV Camera Surveillance under the aforesaid scheme.

5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

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6. From the submission of the respondents, it is clear that the installation of High-mast Solar LED street line project has been given up and they have proceeded only with providing CCTV Camera surveillance. The guidelines of 'Namakku Namee Thittam' clearly state that the public contribution must be utilised for the specific identified work. According to the petitioner, his contribution was only for the purpose of installation of the High-mast LED street line, which is the identified project by the petitioner. Considering the fact that the above project has been given up, the amount paid by the petitioner shall be refunded back to him, within a period of eight(8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is allowed. No costs.

20.11.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes Rmk To 1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Commissioner, Municipality Office, Keelakkarai, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Director of Municipal Administration, 75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Chennai -28. 4/5

P.T.ASHA, J.

Rmk Writ Petition(MD)No.32763 of 2025 20.11.2025 5/5