Iliyas v. the District Collector
Constitution of India – Article 226 – Writ of Mandamus – Protection of water body
Case brief
What is this about?
Encroachment removal from village water body (kulam); survey of water bodies/channel by Tahsildhar; notice to interested persons and encroachers; removal only through due process of law; four-month compliance timeline; mandamus under Article 226; Maruthangudi Kulam; Arasarkulam West Village; Aranthangi Taluk; Pudukottai District; W.P(MD)No.17319 of 2021; Madras High Court Madurai Bench; G.R. Swaminathan J.; B. Pugalandhi J.; decided 23.10.2025; writ allowed, no costs; no monetary quantum; no precedents cited.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition allowed with a direction to the third respondent (Tahsildhar) to survey the petition-mentioned water bodies after notice to all interested persons; if encroachment is found, individual notices to encroachers and removal of encroachments adhering to due process of law; entire exercise to be completed within four months of receipt of a copy of the order. No costs.