Dismissed¶45

Chinnadurai v. The Secretary

Madras HC8 Jun 2026WP(MD)/33319/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Jal Jeevan Mission; writ of mandamus; Article 226 Constitution of India; misappropriation of panchayat funds; poor quality rusted old pipelines; household drinking water connections; Palankottai Panchayat; Mela Alagunatchiyapuram Village; Thiruvenkatam Taluk; Thenkasi District; representation dated 17.02.2025; enquiry by Assistant Executive Engineer; complaint lodged with ulterior motive; no irregularity found; writ petition dismissed; no costs; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; N. Sathish Kumar; M. Jothiraman.

What did the court decide?

In view of the enquiry findings that the complaint was lodged with an ulterior motive and that no irregularity or misappropriation was found in the execution of the work, the Court found no merit in the writ petition. ¶44

Chinnadurai Vs The Secretary — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P(MD)No.33319 of 2025

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 08.06.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN

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W.P(MD)No.33319 of 2025

Chinnadurai

... Petitioner

vs.

1.The Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi.

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2.The Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Secretariat, Chennai.

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3.The Director,

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Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Malligai, Saithapet, Chennai.

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4.The Inspector of Panchayats/ The District Collector, Thenkasi District, Thenkasi.

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5.The Project Director / Additional Collector, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Thenkasi, Thenkasi District.

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

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The Assistant Director of Panchayats, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Thenkasi, Thenkasi District.

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W.P(MD)No.33319 of 2025

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The Assistant Executive Engineer, Rural Development, Sankarankovil Division, Thenkasi District.

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The President, Palankottai Panchayat, Thiruvenkatam Taluk, Thenkasi District.

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Ravichandran 10.Muthuselvam

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Ramasamy ... Respondents

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PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents No.1 to 7 to take necessary action against the 9th, 10th and 11th Respondent for the irregularity committed by them in execution of project work under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Mela Alagunatchiyapuram Village, Thiruvenkatam Taluk, Thenkasi District, by providing poor quality rusted old pipe lines, for supplying water to the household and thereby misappropriated the allocated fund towards the Palankottai Panchayat on the basis of petitioner representation dated 17.02.2025.

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

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For Petitioner : Mr.T.Indrachithu For R1 to R8 : Mr.C.Jeganathan Counsel for State For R11 : Mr.R.Murali

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W.P(MD)No.33319 of 2025

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ORDER

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(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.)

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The petitioner has filed the present writ petition seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing Respondents Nos. 1 to 7 to consider and take appropriate action against Respondents Nos. 9, 10, and 11 for the alleged irregularities committed in the execution of works under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Mela Alagunatchiyapuram Village, Thiruvenkatam Taluk, Thenkasi District, by supplying poor-quality, rusted, and old pipelines for household water supply connections and thereby allegedly misappropriating the funds allocated to Palankottai Panchayat, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 17.02.2025.

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2.The main grievance of the petitioner is that the Union Government launched the Jal Jeevan Mission with the objective of providing individual drinking water connections to all households across the country, ensuring

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

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W.P(MD)No.33319 of 2025

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adequate access to potable water without scarcity. Under the scheme, the Union Government contributes 50% of the project cost. The scheme envisages providing separate drinking water connections to all households within the jurisdiction of every Panchayat by sourcing water from nearby water bodies, borewells, or weirs, pumping it to overhead tanks, and supplying it to households through dedicated pipeline networks.

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3.According to the petitioner, while the work under the Jal Jeevan Mission was being carried out from Mela Alagunatchiyapuram to Colony Street, the 11th respondent illegally used old and rusted pipelines and connected them to the existing supply lines instead of laying new pipelines. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 17.02.2025 to the fourth respondent seeking appropriate action against respondents 9, 10, and 11.

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The learned Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 8, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner's complaint had been duly enquired into and it was found that no misappropriation had taken place. A report submitted by the Assistant Executive Engineer through the District Collector was also placed before this Court.

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

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W.P(MD)No.33319 of 2025

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The Assistant Executive Engineer conducted an enquiry into the allegations raised by the petitioner and found that the complaint had been lodged with an ulterior motive against the contractor. The enquiry did not reveal any irregularity or misappropriation in the execution of the work.

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