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M/s. Cmes Jupiter Private Limited, v. District Collector

Madras HC23 Mar 2026WP Crl./397/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Police protection; writ of mandamus; Article 226 Constitution of India; solar photovoltaic power project; 100 MW; Perugavazhnthan Village; Muthupet Taluk; Tiruvarur District; CMES Jupiter Private Limited; obstruction by villagers; trespass and intimidation of workers; peace committee meeting Tahsildar; FIR Crime No.23 of 2026; BNS Sections 191(2) 329(4) 351(2); DSP status report; disposed with direction to ensure unhindered project continuation.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of; Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muthupet Division directed/made responsible to ensure the petitioner continues with its project without any hindrance (adequate police vigil recorded). ¶65

M/s. Cmes Jupiter Private Limited, Vs District… — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether a writ of mandamus should issue directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to provide effective and necessary police protection to the petitioner's office, its employees' life and limb, and to enable conduct of the solar photovoltaic power generation plant development activities at the project site at Perugavazhnthan Village, Muthupet Taluk, Tiruvarur District, based on the representation dated 17.02.2026. +1 more

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Court's answer

Interim order (03.03.2026): The displaced workers of the petitioner company shall be restored to their workplace, permitted to continue with the work assigned to them, and ensured appropriate protection.

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Ratio / Principle

Interim order (03.03.2026): The Deputy Superintendent of Police was directed to file a report on the status of the petitioner's complaint and action taken pursuant to FIR in Crime No. 23 of 2026.

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Key takeaways

On the final hearing, the Court recorded, from the 3rd respondent's status report, that the police authorities have maintained adequate, effective and constant vigil over the locality and there is no breach of peace or unlawful interference.ratio¶64
Recording the status report findings, the writ petition was disposed of, with a clear direction that the Deputy Superintendent of Police shall ensure the petitioner continues with its project without any hindrance.ratio¶65

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.(Crl).No.397 of 2026 (Madras HC, M. Nirmal Kumar J., 23.03.2026): CMES Jupiter Private Limited (represented by authorised signatory T. Thangarasu) sought mandamus under Article 226 directing the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, Tiruvarur to provide police protection to its office, employees and solar photovoltaic power generation plant development activities for a 100 MW solar project at Perugavazhnthan Village, Muthupet Taluk, Tiruvarur District, alleging obstruction and intimidation by objectors despite a 14.02.2026 peace committee meeting and representations dated 17.02.2026. By interim order dated 03.03.2026 the Court directed the DSP, Muthupet Division to report on action taken pursuant to FIR in Crime No. 23 of 2026 (registered 24.02.2026 under BNS Sections 191(2), 329(4) and 351(2)) and ordered restoration of displaced workers. Recording the DSP's status report that the investigation was nearing completion, the site had normalised and the police maintained adequate, effective and constant vigil with no breach of peace or unlawful interference, the Court disposed of the writ petition, making clear that the DSP shall ensure the petitioner continues the project without any hindrance.

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W.P.(Crl).No.397 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 23.03.2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR

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W.P.(Crl).No.397 of 2026

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M/s.CMES Jupiter Private Limited, Administrative Office at Kuber Building, 1 st Floor, Old No.425, New No.42, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 088. Represented by its Authorised Signatory T.Thangarasu

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... Petitioner

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Vs.

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1. District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tiruvarur District, Tiruvarur – 610 004.

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2. Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Tiruvarur District, Tiruvarur – 610 004.

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3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muthupet Division, Muthupet – 614 704.

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4. Inspector of Police, Perugavazhndan Police Station, Perugavazhndan – 614 705. ... Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for praying to issue a writ of mandamus, directing the 1^st and 2^nd respondents to provide effective and necessary police protection to the petitioner’s office, its employees’ life and limb and to conduct their solar Page No.1 of 10

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(Crl).No.397 of 2026

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photovoltaic power generation plant development activities at Project Site at Perugavazhnthan Village, Muthupet Taluk, Tiruvarur District based on the representation dated 17.02.2026 by the petitioner.

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For Petitioners : Mr.R.Shanmugasundaram Senior counsel for Mr.A.P.Pasupathy For Respondent : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Addl. Public Prosecutor [R2 to R4]

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ORDER

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This writ petition has been filed to direct the 1 st and 2 nd respondents

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to provide effective and necessary police protection to the petitioner’s office, its employees’ life and limb and to conduct their solar photovoltaic

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power generation plant development activities at Project Site at Perugavazhnthan Village, Muthupet Taluk, Tiruvarur District based on the representation given by the petitioner on dated 17.02.2026.

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2. When the matter was taken up for hearing on 03.03.2026, this Court passed the following order:

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“ The petitioner company, which is a reputed independent Power Producer engaged in the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects across India with substantial installed capacity has filed the present writ petition seeking adequate and necessary police

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protection to the petitioner’s office, its employees and its solar photovoltaic power plant development activities in connection with the implementation of a duly approved 100 MW solar Photovoltaic Power Project at Perugavazhnthan Village, Muthupet Taluk, Tiruvarur District. 2. According to the petitioner, for the purpose of establishment of the project, 160 acres of private patta lands in Perugavazhnthan Village, had been lawfully purchased and after obtaining necessary No Objection certificate from the Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Kottur Block and other statutory permissions and complying with all statutory and regulatory requirements, the project development activities were commenced in October, 2025 by mobilising manpower, machinery and constructions materials. In spite of the same, a group of individuals claiming to represent certain villagers began interfering with the project activities.

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3. A peace committee meeting was convened on 14.02.2026 by the Tahsildar, Muthupet in the presence of revenue and police officials, representatives of the petitioner and certain objectors. Though the petitioner had placed all statutory approvals on record and clarified the queries raised by the objectors, it was of no avail. Subsequent thereto, there was unlawful trespass into the project site by the objectors, the ongoing construction activities of the petitioner was obstructed and the employees involved in the project were intimidated and threatened thereby compelling suspension of work. Though the Page No.3 of 10

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W.P.(Crl).No.397 of 2026 petitioner submitted representations to the 1st and 2nd respondents, no concrete action was taken.

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4. The petitioner would further submit that again on 17.02.2026, a group of 20 villagers trespassed into the premises where a few of the petitioner’s employees were staying and intimidated them to move out of the village. The petitioner apprehends that such continued obstruction will not only hinder the progress of the project, but also cause serious financial repercussions, besides endangering the life and liberty of the workforce.

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5. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor takes notice for respondents 2 to 4.

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6. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muthupet Division, Muthupet/the 3rd respondent herein shall file a report with regard to the status of the petitioner’s complaint and what action was taken pursuant to the registration of FIR in Crime No. 23 of 2026. The displaced workers of the petitioner company shall be restored to their workplace; permitted to continue with the work assigned to them and also ensured that appropriate protection would be given.

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7. Post on 23.03.2026.”

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Pursuant to the earlier order passed by this Court, today, the

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learned Additional Public Prosecutor has filed a status report of the 3^rd respondent, which is extracted hereunder:

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“ 1. I, The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muthupet Division, Tiruvarur District, the 3^rd respondent herein, do Page No.4 of 10

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W.P.(Crl).No.397 of 2026 hereby most respectfully submit this Status Report before this Hon’ble Court as follows:

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2. It is respectfully submitted that the present Writ Petition has been instituted by the petitioner Company seeking police protection in connection with the execution of a Solar Photovoltaic Power Project proposed to be established at Perugavazhndan Village, Muthupet Taluk, Tiruvarur District, on the basis of certain vague and unsubstantiated apprehensions alleging possible interference with the project activities.

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3. It is most respectfully submitted that, acting upon a complaint lodged by the authorised signatory of the petitioner Company, a case in Crime No.23 of 2026 dated 24.02.2026 was duly registered on the file of the Inspector of Police, Perugavazhndan Police Station for alleged offences punishable under Sections 191(2), 329(4) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the investigation was forthwith taken up with promptitude under the strict supervision and administrative control of this Respondent, strictly adhering to the procedure established by law.

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4. The statements of the de facto complainant and other maternal witnesses have been recorded, the scene of occurrence has been inspected, and all relevant documentary and material evidence have been meticulously collected and secured.

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5. It is further submitted that, during the course of investigation, the persons alleged to be involved have been Page No.5 of 10

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duly identified and subjected to detailed enquiry, and the investigation has been conducted in a systematic, impartial and methodical manner, ensuring collection of all requisite materials necessary for arriving at a just and lawful conclusion.

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6. It is respectfully submitted that the investigation has now reached an advanced stage and is nearing completion. It is further submitted that, subsequent to the registration of the case, the situation at the project site has normalised and fully resumed, and is presently peaceful, stable and completely under control, without any instance of obstruction, intimidation or unlawful interference.

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7. it is submitted that, at the occurrence place, namely new Street, Perugavazhndan, labourers engaged in the project are residing and carrying out their work under the supervision and control of the SVP Contract Company in an orderly and disciplined manner.

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8. It is further submitted that approximately 15 labourers belonging to other States are accommodated in the vicinity near the Bus Stop at KG Complex, and they are also regularly engaged in the petitioner Company’s project activities without any hindrance or disturbance whatsoever.

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9. In additional thereto, it is submitted that the petitioner Company is executing the project under the supervision of qualified engineers and in coordination with various contracting agencies, with nearly 60 labourers working on a daily basis, and the entire work has resumed and is progressing smoothly, peacefully and without Page No.6 of 10

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interruption.

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10. The petitioner Company is also maintaining proper records, including attendance registers and related documentation, evidencing the regular and uninterrupted nature of the work being carried on at the site.

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11. It is most respectfully submitted that the respondent police authorities have been extending adequate, effective and constant vigil over the locality, ensuring that no breach of peace or unlawful interference occurs. Necessary police presence is being ensured from time to time, and the situation is being closely monitored to safeguard public order and lawful activities.

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12. it is further submitted that the respondent police are discharging their statutory duties with utmost diligence, neutrality and responsibility, strictly in accordance with law.

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13. In view of the above, it is respectfully submitted that the apprehensions expressed by the petitioner are wholly misconceived, speculative and devoid of any factual basis, inasmuch as the ground reality unequivocally demonstrates that the situation has fully resumed and is entirely under control and effectively regulated by the respondent police authorities.

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14. Therefore, ti is most humbly prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to take this Status Report on record and pass such further or other orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice”

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From the status report of the 3^rd respondent, it is seen that the

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Deputy Superintendent of of Police, Muthupet Division, Tiruvarur District has submitted that the Police Authorities have maintained adequate, effective and constant vigil over the locality, and that there is no breach of peace or unlawful interference.

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Recording the same, this writ petition is disposed of. It is made clear that the Deputy Superintendent of Police shall ensure that the petitioner’s continue with their project without any hindrance.

23.03.2026

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1. District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tiruvarur District, Tiruvarur – 610 004.