Shanmugaraja v. State Government Of Tamil Nadu Represented By Its Principal Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.01.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.28058 and 28059 of 2025 Shanmugaraja ... Petitioner /Vs./ 1.State Government of Tamilnadu, Rep.By its Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer (General), Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
3.The Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer, Madurai Zone, Thallakulam, Madurai-625 002.
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4.The Superintending Engineer, Thamirabarani Ground Water Circle, Tirunelveli.
5.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Collector, Tirunelvlei.
6.The Tahsildar, Tirunelveli Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to take immediate temporary protective measures to prevent the collapse of the retaining wall, in the interest of public safety. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Kasirajan For Respondents : Mr.M.Ajmal Khan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was delivered by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.) The instant Public Interest Litigation is filed seeking mandamus directing the respondents to reexamine the stability of the Tamilakurichi Dam and its retaining Wall and, if necessary, to carry out repair works forthwith to prevent further damage to the structure. 2/6
2.A detailed status report has been filed by the Superintending Engineer, Public Works and Water Resources Organization Department, Thamirabarani Ground Water Circle, Tirunelveli. 3.The sum and substance of the status report indicates that the stability of the Tamilakurichi Dam is intact and the alleged leakage is the natural gap in between the joints meant for expansion during change of temperature.
4.Regarding stability, it is stated that inspection was conducted on 27.11.2025 and it is seen that the water penetrated below the bottom of the retaining wall foundation on the right side of the canal leading to Pachaiyar Weir is arrested by remedial measures. 5.This court takes the status report dated 04.01.2026 on record and closes the writ petition. It is open to the petitioner herein, if he has any grievance regarding the stability of the structure, to come before this court with necessary materials to substantiate his allegation regarding 3/6
instability of the structure. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs. [G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.] 07.01.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes ta To 1.Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer (General), Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
3.The Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer, Madurai Zone, Thallakulam, Madurai-625 002.
4.The Superintending Engineer, Thamirabarani Ground Water Circle, Tirunelveli.
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5.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Collector, Tirunelvlei.
6.The Tahsildar, Tirunelveli Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
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DR.
G. JAYACHANDRAN , J.
AND K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN, J.
ta 07.01.2026 6/6