Shankaralingam v. The Government of Tamil Nadu

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard.

¶2This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed seeking direction to the official respondents to remove the encroachments in S.Nos.225, 208, 237 and 215 at Pudhu Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District by invoking the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007 and to restore the lands as waterbodies.

¶3Respondent No.6 has filed a status report stating that survey was conducted on 12.3.2025 and 26 encroachers were identified. Based on the survey, the encroachers were issued with notices under Section 7 of the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act, 1905 on

17.3.2026 and 21.3.2026, respectively, calling for objections, if any, within 15 days.

¶4In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the official respondents to consider the objections, if any, submitted by the encroachers and, thereafter, proceed to remove the encroachments in accordance with law. The aforesaid exercise shall be carried out within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. W.M.P.No.7634 of 2026 filed to permit the petitioners to file a single writ petition is ordered, subject to payment of separate court-fee within a period of two weeks from today. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

06.04.2026 Index : : bbr To:

1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Revenue Department, Chepauk, Chennai-5

3.The Commissioner, Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

4.The District Collector, Tiruvannamalai District.

5.The District Revenue Officer, Tiruvannamalai District.

6.The Tahsildar, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. W.P.No.7012,of,2026 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE ,,,,AND ,G.ARUL,MURUGAN,,J., bbr W.P.No.7012,of,2026 ,,,,,

06.04.2026 Page,7,of,7

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06.04.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P.No.7634 of 2026 1.Shankaralingam S/o.Subramani No.114, Pillayar Kovil Street, Appedu Madhura (Puthu Appedu), Chepet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District 2.Prathapan S/o.Shanmugam No.114, Pillayar Kovil Street, Appedu Madhura (Puthu Appedu), Chepet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District- 606801 Petitioners Vs 1.The Government of Tamil Nadu Rep. by Its Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Secretariat, Chennai. 2.The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Revenue Department, Chepauk, Chennai-5 3.The Commissioner, Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005. 4.The District Collector, Tiruvannamalai District. 5.The District Revenue Officer, Tiruvannamalai District. 6.The Tahsildar, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 7.Ravi, S/o.Rangasamy, (S.No.225/12), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 8.Elammal, W/o.Ravi (S.No.225/13 and 208/19), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 9.Murugan, S/o.Thiruvengedam, (S.No.225/14), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 10.Arumugam, S/o.Kannan, (S.No.225/15), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 11.Dharmaraj, S/o.Kanniyappan, (S.No.225/16), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 12.Kalavathi, W/o.Vijayrangam, (S.No.208/18), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 13.Ethirajalu, S/o.Ravi, (S.No.208/20), Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to immediately invoke the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachments Act 2007, as against the encroachers in Survey Numbers 225, 208, 237 and 215 at Pudhu Appedu Village, Chetpet Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District, and to restore the said lands as water bodies. For Petitioners: Mr.S.Karthikeyan For Respondents: Mr.K.Karthik Jagannath Government Advocate for R1 to R6 Mr.T.Ananthasekar for R7 to R13