P.Venkatesan, v. The District Collector,

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition has been filed seeking to forbear respondents from constructing a compound wall enclosing the public playground situated in S.F.No.182/2 of Veerakkalpudhur Village, Salem District.

¶2Respondents have filed a counter-affidavit stating that the land comprised in S.No.182/1 has been handed over to the School around which a compound wall has been constructed and not in S.No.182/2, which belongs to temple.

¶3Paragraph 6 of the counter is re-produced below: "It is humbly submitted that, with a view to ensuring the safety and security of the students, school staff and Government properties, the Government of Tamil Nadu, in G.O.(D).No.79, Natural Resources (MMD.1) Department, dated 19.12.2025, sanctioned a sum of Rs.176.00 lakhs for the construction of a compound wall around the Government Higher Secondary School, Pudusampalli. Pursuant to the said Government Order, the Public Works Department has undertaken the work of constructing the compound wall strictly within the school land situated in Survey No.182/1. The compound wall in Survey No.182/2 are wholly false, baseless and contrary to the official records. At no point of time has any construction activity been undertaken in Survey No.182/2. The construction is confined exclusively within Survey No.182/1, which stands transferred to the School Education Department by the competent authority. Survey No.182/2 is a distinct survey field and continues to belong to Madheswaran Sivan Temple, Veerakalpudur Village. The respondents have neither entered upon nor commenced any construction in Survey No.182/2. Therefore, the apprehension expressed by the Petitioner is imaginary, unfounded and without any factual basis.

¶4It is specifically stated that respondents have neither entered upon nor commenced any construction in S.No.182/2 and thus, the apprehension of petitioner has been addressed.

¶5In view of the above, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim application is closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

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¶1The District Collector Office of District Collector, Salem.

¶2The Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department (Building), Salem.

¶3The Chief Educational Officer, Office of District Collector, Salem. THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

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14.08.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14.08.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN & W.M.P.No.14038 of 2026 P.Venkatesan S/o.Palaniappan, 8/1-92,Subramani Nagar, Pudhasamballi,Mettur Dam, Salem District. .. Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector Office of District Collector, Salem. 2. The Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department (Building), Salem. 3. The Chief Educational Officer, Office of District Collector, Salem. .. Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus forbearing the respondents from constructing a compound wall enclosing the public playground situated in S.F.No.182/2 of Veerakkalpudhur Village, Salem District. [Prayer amended vide order dated 17.04.2026 in W.M.P.No.16063 of 2026] For Petitioner : Mr.R.Nalliyappan For Respondents : Mr.C.A.Ramanan Government Advocate