Azhagappan R Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

Azhagappan R Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ petition disposed of without costs; respondents directed to proceed with the fish-harvest auction giving due and proper publicity, following the Government's submission that the auction has been rescheduled to 06.05.2026.

Issue for consideration

Whether the respondents should proceed with the fish-harvesting auction for Seerathakudi Kanmai, which had been notified for the current year but cancelled on account of the election notification, given that the water level is depleting and fishes are dying.

Court's answer

In view of the learned Special Government Pleader's submission (on written instructions) that the auction has been rescheduled to 06.05.2026 and will be conducted in accordance with law after due publicity, the petitioner's grievance stands redressed.

Ratio / Principle

The respondents are directed to proceed with the auction by giving due and proper publicity.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of Mandamus - Fish harvesting auction - Seerathakudi Kanmai, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District. Petitioner Ayacutdars' Water Users Association sought conduct of fish harvesting with police protection and deposit of 50% of harvest revenue to the association's bank account per G.O.(Ms)No.112, Public Works (W2) Department, dt. 22.05.2017 (for maintenance of irrigation channels). The current year's auction, though notified, was cancelled on account of the election notification; petitioner sought early harvesting as the water level is depleting and fishes are dying. On hearing, the learned Special Government Pleader, on written instructions, submitted that the auction proposed for 17.03.2026 was cancelled but has been rescheduled to 06.05.2026 and will be conducted in accordance with law after due publicity. Finding the grievance redressed, the Court directed the respondents to proceed with the auction giving due and proper publicity, and disposed of the writ petition. No costs. Single member bench: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy, J.

W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED : 29.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY

W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

R.Azhagappan, S/o.A.Ramaiah, President, PAM-023, Seeratha Kanmai, Maanam Periyaan Kanmai and Nanga Kanmai Water Users Association, Seerathkudi Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District – 622 503. ... Petitioner

-vs-

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ponnamaravathi, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thirumayam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

5.The Executive Engineer, South Vellar Division Basin, Water Resource Department, Pudukkottai.

6.The Assistant Director of Fisheries, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

7.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department, Thirumayam Sub Division Basin, South Vellar Division Basin, Pudukkottai District.

... Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take necessary action by permitting the respondents 6 and 7 to engage in fish harvesting in the Seerathakudi Kanmai, situates at Seerathakudi Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District with necessary police protection and further directing the respondents 5 and 7 to deposit 50% of revenue generated out of fish harvesting in the bank account maintained by the petitioner association in terms of G.O. (Ms)No.112, Public Works (W2) Department, dated 22.05.2017.

For Petitioners : Mr.B.Vinothkumar

For R1 & R5 to R7 : Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader For R2 to R4 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Criminal side)

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W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

ORDER

The writ petition has been filed seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take necessary action by permitting the respondents 6 and 7 to engage in fish harvesting in Seerathakudi Kanmai, situated at Seerathakudi Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District.

2 . The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner Association is an Ayacutdars Association and is entitled to 50% of the revenue generated from fish harvest in the tank. It is submitted that in terms of G.O.(Ms)No.112, Public Works (W2) Department, dated 22.05.2017, the said amount is to be utilized for maintenance of irrigation channels. It is further submitted that for the current year, though the auction for fish harvest was initially notified, the same was subsequently cancelled on account of the election notification. The petitioner has approached this Court on the ground that the fish harvest should be conducted at the earliest, since the water level is depleting day by day and the fishes are dying, making it the appropriate time for harvesting.

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3

W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

3 . When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Special Government Pleader, on written instructions, submitted that though the auction was earlier proposed to be conducted on 17.03.2026, the same was cancelled, however, it has

now been rescheduled to 06.05.2026 and the auction will be conducted in accordance with law after due publicity.

4 . In view of the said submission, the grievance of the petitioner stands redressed. The respondents are directed to proceed with the auction by giving due and proper publicity.

5 . Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

29.04.2026

NCC : No smn2

To:-

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

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W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

2.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ponnamaravathi, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thirumayam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Executive Engineer, South Vellar Division Basin, Water Resource Department, Pudukkottai.

6.The Assistant Director of Fisheries, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

7.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department, Thirumayam Sub Division Basin, South Vellar Division Basin, Pudukkottai District.

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W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

smn2

W.P.(MD)No.13294 of 2026

29.04.2026

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