P.Prasanna v. The District Collector
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), W.P(MD)No.25873 of 2024, decided 24.01.2025 by M.S.Ramesh, J. (bench: M.S.Ramesh & A.D.Maria Clete, JJ.). Mandamus sought against District Collector, Assistant Director of Town and Country Planning, Tahsildar (Madurai North Taluk), Block Development Officer and Panchayat President (Aalathur) to consider representation dated 21.09.2024 regarding removal of ready-made compound wall blocking road areas in layout of private 6th respondent Karuppanan (Sri Annai Meenakshi Nagar North Extn-II, Alathur Village). Ratio: statutory authority bound to consider representations on merits; inaction is dereliction of duty attracting Article 226; direction to decide within three months after hearing affected parties, in light of Na.Ka.No.3290/2024/kjp5 dated 03.10.2024; no merits decided; no costs. Keywords: duty to consider representation, dereliction of statutory duty, writ of mandamus, Article 226, road encroachment / compound wall, layout road areas, panchayat union, town planning.