Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, WP No. 459 of 2026 and WMP No.565 of 2026, disposed on 08.01.2026; Coram: Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, Chief Justice (author) and G.Arul Murugan, J. Petitioner D.Vinod filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking mandamus against Medavakkam Village Panchayat to stop construction in the water body in Survey No.261, Medavakkam Village, Tambaram Taluk, Chengalpet District, and to restore/strengthen the Medavakkam Periya Eri lake bund. Respondents included the State of Tamilnadu (Water Resources Department), District Collector Chengalpattu, Tahsildar Tambaram, VAO Medavakkam, Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and BDO St Thomas Mount. Court disposed of the petition at the threshold since the Panchayat's "No Objection" application to the Water Resources Department (made 30.12.2025) was pending; liberty reserved to petitioner to challenge any permission granted; no costs; interim application closed. Advocates: Venkatesh.U. for petitioner; A.Edwin Prabakar (State Government Pleader) assisted by M.Habeeb Rahman (Government Advocate) for respondents. Keywords: water body, lake bund, mandamus, panchayat construction, No Objection, Article 226, writ disposed.