R.Sankar Vs The Special Officer — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

R.Sankar Vs The Special Officer — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to the fourth respondent (District Collector, Tirunelveli District) to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2025 after giving opportunity to the petitioner and the ninth respondent, and to pass orders in accordance with law within twelve (12) weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; no costs awarded.

Issue for consideration

Whether Respondent Nos. 1 to 8 should be directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2025 seeking cancellation of the quarrying licence granted to the ninth respondent and initiation of appropriate legal action for alleged illegal excess quarrying and illegal storing/selling of the mined material.

Court's answer

Without expressing any opinion on the merits, the Court directed the fourth respondent (District Collector, Tirunelveli District) to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2025.

Ratio / Principle

Such consideration is to be after giving an opportunity of hearing to both the petitioner and the ninth respondent.

Key takeaways

The fourth respondent shall pass orders in accordance with law within twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.ratio¶31
With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of; no costs.ratio¶32

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of Mandamus - quarrying licence - Petitioner sought directions to Respondent Nos. 1 to 8 to consider his representation dated 24.03.2025, cancel the quarrying licence granted to the ninth respondent and initiate legal action for alleged illegal excess quarrying in Survey Nos.488/1, 488/3A(P), 489/2(P) and 491/1(P) and illegal storing/selling in Survey Nos. 490/1, 490/2 and 490/3 of Kasthurirenganpauram Part-I Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District. Held: without expressing any opinion on merits, the District Collector (fourth respondent) was directed to consider the representation dated 24.03.2025 after affording an opportunity of hearing to both the petitioner and the ninth respondent, and to pass orders in accordance with law within twelve (12) weeks from receipt of a copy of the order. Writ petition disposed of; no costs.

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED : 02.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

R.Sankar

... Petitioner

Vs.

The Special Officer, Chief Minister of TamilNadu Cell (CM Cell), Secretariat, Chennai.

The Principal Secretary, Industries (MMB-1) Department, St. George Fort, Chennai.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Industries and Natural Resources Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

The District Collector, O/o.District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tirunelveli Division, Tirunelveli District.

The Assistant Director, Geology and Mining, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.

1/5

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

The Tahsildar, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

The Village Administrative Officer, Kasthurirengapauram Part-1 Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

Jegan

... Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondent Nos. 1 to 8 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2025 and direct the Respondents Nos.1 to 8 to cancel the quarrying license granted to the 9^th Respondent and initiate appropriate legal action as against him for illegal excess quarrying in the land situated in Survey Nos.488/1, 488/3A(P), 489/2(P) and 491/1(P) of Kasthurirenganpauram Part-I Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District and for illegally storing and selling the same in Survey Nos. 490/1, 490/2 and 490/3 in Kasthurirengapuram Part-I Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tiruenelveli District.

For Petitioner : Mr.G.Anto Prince For Respondent Nos.1 to 8 : Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition is filed seeking Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 8, to cancel the quarrying license and also to take action against the ninth respondent for illegally quarrying excess land.

2/5

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

This Court, without expressing any opinion, directs the fourth respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2025 after giving opportunity to the petitioner and as well as the ninth respondent. The fourth respondent shall pass orders in accordance with law, within a period of twelve(12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

02.06.2025

NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ Nos

pnn

3/5

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

To

The Special Officer, Chief Minister of TamilNadu Cell (CM Cell), Secretariat, Chennai.

The Principal Secretary, Industries (MMB-1) Department, St. George Fort, Chennai.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Industries and Natural Resources Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

The District Collector, O/o.District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tirunelveli Division, Tirunelveli District.

The Assistant Director, Geology and Mining, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.

The Tahsildar, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

The Village Administrative Officer, Kasthurirengapauram Part-1 Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

4/5

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

S.SRIMATHY, J.

pnn

W.P(MD)No.13682 of 2025

02.06.2025

5/5

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis