S.M.A. Pon Gandhimathinathan v. The State of Tamil Nadu
Writ of Mandamus – Road infrastructure
Case brief
What is this about?
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court (W.P(MD)No.4076 of 2025, order dated 03.06.2025 by S.M. Subramaniam, J.) dismissed a writ of mandamus seeking directions to lay a two-way bypass road and refurbish the 40 km bitumen road between Thoothukudi and Thiruchendur for mitigation of traffic congestion and movement of devotees to Tiruchendur Murugan Temple. Court held road laying/relaying involving huge expenditure is a policy decision for the Government, beyond judicial review; noted Government's statement that a project had been undertaken; no costs.
What did the court decide?
Policy decisions involving significant financial commitments, such as laying or relaying of roads entailing huge expenditure, are to be taken at the Government level after considering various factors; therefore, the High Court in the exercise of its powers of judicial review cannot issue a direction to lay or relay such roads.