R Vadivel, v. The District Collector

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner on the question of admission.

¶2In the present writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, direction has been sought to the official respondents to conduct proper inquiry into the illegal quarrying activities carried at Ayan Punjai Survey No.15/1 Boundary of T.Nallalam Village, Perumbakkam Post, Marakkanam Taluk, Villupuram District, by the sixth respondent.

¶3Grievance of the petitioner is that the official respondents are not taking any action to stop the illegal quarrying activities of the six respondent and that the representation submitted by the petitioner to the first respondent is also pending since December, 2025.

¶4Learned State Counsel, on written instructions, submitted that the sixth respondent has been granted quarrying lease for a period of five years from 08.11.2022 to 07.11.2027. In case there is any complaint in respect of excess quarrying beyond the permitted limit and beyond the sanctioned mining plan, there is a standard operating procedure ('SOP', for short) for conducting drone survey around the quarry. In strict compliance of the said SOP, the official respondents have also issued a pre-show cause notice to the lessee, viz., the sixth respondent, calling for his explanation. The sixth respondent has also submitted his written explanation. The respondents are in the process of conducting drone survey as per the SOP.

¶5Learned State counsel submitted that the officials require a further period of six weeks to complete the inquiry and take a decision on the representation.

¶6Heard learned counsel on both sides and perused the records.

¶7In view of the statement made by learned State Counsel based on written instructions, we are of the considered opinion that this petition can be disposed of with a direction to the fourth respondent to conduct survey as per the SOP. Thereafter, in case any violation is found, the forth respondent shall forward a report to the first respondent for taking decision and passing appropriate orders in accordance with law. With the aforesaid direction, the writ petition is finally disposed of. There will be no order as to costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.)

09.03.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar To

1.The District Collector, District Collectorate, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

2.The Assistant Collector Assistant Collector Office Jekkampet, Tindivanam.

3.The Secretary To Government Industries And Mines Department TNEB Complex, Guindy, Chennai 600032.

4.The Assistant Director Of Geology And Mining Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

5.The Tahsildar Marakkanam Taluk Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN

, J.

(tar)

09.03.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 09.03.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN R.Vadivel S/o. Rathinavel No. 291, Sengeaniamman Koil Street, T Nallalam Village, Perumukkal Post, Marakkanam Taluk, Villupuram District. : Petitioner versus 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. 2.The Assistant Collector Assistant Collector Office Jekkampet, Tindivanam. 3.The Secretary To Government Industries And Mines Department TNEB Complex, Guindy, Chennai 600032. 4.The Assistant Director Of Geology And Mining Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. 5.The Tahsildar Marakkanam Taluk Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. 6.Madheshwaran S/o.Nachiappan Kuvarimedu Tindivanam Taluk T Nellalam Perumukkal, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu 604. 301. : Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 5 to conduct a proper enquiry into the illegal quarrying activities made by the 6th respondent complaint at Ayan Punjai Survey No.15/1 Boundary of T.Nallalam village, Perumbakkam post Marakkanam Taluk, Villupuram District and to take necessary action against the erring persons in accordance with law, to assess and recover the laws caused to the government. For Petitioner : Ms.Seethalakshmi For Respondents : Mr.E.Vijay Anand, Additional Government Pleader, for respondents 1 to 5