M/s. Maharaja Blue Metals Vs The Superintendent of Police

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 26.03.2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026

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and WP.MP.Crl.No.215 of 2026

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M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals, Rep. By its Managing Partner P.S.K.Arun, Son of Kandasamy Office at No.4/60-1, Kottampattim Akkalampatti Police, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District – 637 212.

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... Petitioner

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vs.

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1.The Superintendent of Police, Namakkal District, Namakkal – 637 001.

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2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District – 637 211.

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3.The Inspector of Police, Velagoundanpatty Police Station, Namakkal District.

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4.Senthil Kumar

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... Respondents

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Page No.1 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026

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PRAYER:

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PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing 1 to 3 respondents to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner firm to carry on the lawful quarry operations in S.F.No.,375/2(P) measuring 2.98 hectares situated at Akkalampatti Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District by considering petitioner’s representation dated 13.03.2026.

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For Petitioner : Mr.M.Guruprasad For R1 to R3 : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor

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ORDER

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The petitioner sent a representation dated 13.03.2026 to the

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respondents 1 to 3 to provide necessary police protection to run the quarry and related operations and also ensure that no unlawful obstruction or interference caused by any third party including the 4 th respondent. The petitioner’s representation was not acted upon. Hence, the present writ petition filed.

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2 .The petitioner purchased a property in Survey No.375/2 measuring a

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total extent of 2.98 hectares (7.36 acres) at Akkalampattii Village, Page No.2 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026 Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, by way of Document No.414/2022 dated 16.02.2022. Thereafter, the petitioner took possession, revenue records mutated in the petitioner's name, Patta No.3747 was issued. The petitioner also owns another property comprised in Survey No.321/4 measuring an extent of 2.88 acres situated at the same village, wherein a crusher unit is running from the year 2005 onwards in the name of M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals. The petitioner and his father entered into a joint venture agreement on 01.02.2022 for running the business of M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals and the petitioner is the Managing Partner. The petitioner submitted an application dated 11.04.2022 to the Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Namakkal District seeking grant of quarry lease for extraction of ordinary stone and gravel in the said land. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchengode, after conducting verification, submitted his report vide R.C.No.1113/2022/2 dated 23.11.2022 recommending the grant of quarry lease for extraction of minor minerals. Following the same, the Assistant Director, Department of Geology conducted a detailed technical field inspection on 01.12.2022 and found that the area was suitable for quarrying operations and recommended the grant of quarry lease. Based on the recommendation, the applied area by the Page No.3 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026 petitioner was declared as a precise area and directed the petitioner to submit an approved Mining Plan. The petitioner obtained all mandatory statutory clearances including Environmental Clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Tamil Nadu, dated 26.05.2023. The Pollution Control Board, by letter dated 26.04.2025 had published widely in English and Vernacular Newspapers inviting objections from the public. The Pollution Control Board rejected the consent to operate application of the petitioner on 09.03.2024 citing the existence of residential buildings within 300 meters.

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3.Challenging the same, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal in Appeal Nos.34 and 35 of 2024. The Appellate Tribunal after hearing all parties concerned, by order dated 23.10.2024 set aside the objection of the Pollution Control Board and remitted the matter for fresh hearing. Thereafter, the Pollution Control Board had given consent for operation of mining activities. The Assistant Director, Department of Geology who is the competent authority by proceedings dated 27.02.2026 granted quarry license permission to the petitioner in Survey No.375/2 measuring 2.98 hectares at Akkalampatti village. The 4 th respondent herein

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Page No.4 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026 filed a writ petition in W.P.No.16454 of 2024 seeking Mandamus restraining the District Collector, Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining and Block Development Officer, Elachipalayam from granting quarry license to the petitioner. The Division Bench of this Court by order dated 02.03.2026 dismissed the writ petition. The Assistant Director, Department of Geology granted a license for 10 years to the petitioner which is registered in Document No.693/2026 on 04.03.2026 at SRO Office, Velagoundanpatti. Thus the petitioner obtained license for quarrying rough stone and gravel and also obtained statutory clearance from all concerned. This being so, some vested interest people are making objections and not allowing the petitioner to continue with their business which is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution. The 4 th respondent , Kumarasamy and Sakthivel have been spreading tantrums in and around the area taking advantage of the illiteracy and creating a fear as though quarrying activity would greatly affect the villagers and stage mannered some protest for ulterior motive. It is to be seen that in the same area, a few meters away, the petitioner Company, namely M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals, is already carrying on quarrying of rough stone and gravel for many years. Hence, the unreasonable objections by the vested interest people are causing

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Page No.5 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026 great disturbance to the petitioner's business and also denying his fundamental right. Hence prayed for appropriate orders.

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4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor produced a report stating that the 4 th respondent lodged a complaint against the petitioner's business of quarrying on the ground that within 300 meters of quarrying site, houses, temples, water tank are there, made some objections. Thereafter, finding prevalence of combative situation, the Police have written to the Revenue Divisional Officer about the situation. Further, the Police awaiting the report

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of the Revenue Divisional Officer and if found the objections are unreasonable and also in view of the license granted by the Assistant Director, Department of Geology and the earlier litigations and objections filed by the 4 th respondent and others, all will be considered and if found the objections are unreasonable, for ulterior motives, obstructions would be removed and appropriate protection will be granted.

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5.Considering the submissions made and on perusal of the materials, it

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is seen that the 4 th respondent earlier filed a writ petition making some objections and same has been dismissed. The objections that there are Page No.6 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026 houses within 300 meters has been earlier considered and thereafter appropriate clearance and permission has been granted. The petitioner after obtaining the license and after getting all clearances for quarrying cannot be obstructed at the wish and whims of few. The carrying of business is a fundamental right which cannot be denied unless there is real and sustainable objections and not imaginary. In view of the above, this Court directs the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 13.03.2026 and dispose of the same within a period of two weeks after the General Assembly election on 23.03.2026. It is only a cautionary note citing the General Assembly election and if the representation of the petitioner can be considered earlier, the same can be considered.

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6.With the above directions, this Writ Petition Criminal stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

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26.03.2026

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Index: Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order Neutral Citation: Yes/No cse

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Page No.7 of 9

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

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W.P.Crl.No.660 of 2026