S.Sundarraj v. The District Collector
Writ of Mandamus – Encroachment on water body – S.F.No.482, Jangalpatty Village, Theni Taluk and District
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), W.P.(MD)No.21423 of 2025, decided 07.08.2025 by G.R.Swaminathan and B.Pugalendhi JJ. Article 226 mandamus for removal of encroachment on a water body in S.F.No.482, Jangalpatty Village, Theni Taluk; petitioner S.Sundarraj vs District Collector and revenue officials and private respondent S.Kaleeswaran. Land admitted to be classified as water body with fencing and standing trees by sixth respondent; authorities' undertaking to remove encroachment recorded; four months' time granted; Tahsildar directed to follow due process and issue notice to encroachers before removal. Keywords: encroachment removal, water body, poromboke/water spread area, notice to encroacher, due process, Theni, Jangalpatty, S.F.No.482.
What did the court decide?
Writ of mandamus issued: the fourth respondent (Tahsildar) mandated to adhere to due process of law and remove the encroachment in the water body after issuing notice to the encroachers; no costs.