M/S.Lavanya Enterprises v. The Secretary to Government

ORDER

Since the issue involved in all these writ petitions is identical in nature, they are taken up together and disposed of by this common order.

¶2The petitioner(s) in all these writ petitions have filed seeking a direction to the respondents to deliver the sandalwood purchased by them in the open auction conducted by the respondents.

¶3Learned counsel for the petitioners fairly submitted that the entitlement of the petitioners to obtain delivery of the sandalwood purchased in the auction has already been recognized by this Court in W.P. No.7500 of 2000 and connected matters. The said order was confirmed by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A. Nos.405 and 412 of 2003 by judgment dated

25.10.2007. Challenging the said judgment, an SLP viz., SLP (C) No.25133 of 2007 has been preferred and the same was also dismissed, thereby the orders of the Hon'ble Division Bench was affirmed. In the light of the above, he prayed for issuance of appropriate directions.

¶4Per contra, learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents submitted that, as against the judgment rendered by the Hon'ble Division Bench, the State has filed Review Application Nos.294 to 298 of 2016. It is submitted that though the review applications were initially posted for consideration on the question of maintainability, the issue of maintainability has since been decided in favour of the applicants and the review applications have been numbered and are presently pending consideration before the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court. Therefore, this Court may issue suitable directions, accordingly.

¶5This Court has considered the submissions made by learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the submissions made by learned counsel on either side, this Court is of the opinion that no further adjudication is required in the present writ petitions. The interests of both parties would be adequately safeguarded by directing the respondents to abide by the outcome of the review proceedings.

¶7Accordingly, these writ petitions are disposed of with a direction that the respondents shall act in accordance with the result of Review Application Nos.294 to 298 of 2016 pending before the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court. In the event the review applications goes against the petitioner, the respondents shall effect delivery of the sandalwood to the respective petitioners, insofar as they are entitled thereto, within a period of six weeks from the date of disposal of the said review applications. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

04.06.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order Note : Registry is directed to type cause title of remaining Writ Petitions. vsi2 To :

¶1The Secretary to Government of Tamilnadu, Environment & Forests Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

¶2The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamilnadu Forest Department, Panagal Maaligai, Saidapet, Chennai-15

3.The District Forest Officer Tirupatthur W.P.oNo.34065oofo2014oetc.obatch M.oDHANDAPANI,oJ.o vsi2

4.oTheoDistrictoForestoOfficer Salem W.P.oNos.34065,o34066,o13057otoo13061ooofo2014 and M.P.oNos.1oando1oofo2014 and M.P.oNos.1,o1,o1,o1oando1oofo2015o

04.06.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED:04.06.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI W.P. Nos.34065, 34066, 13057 to 13061 of 2014 and M.P. Nos.1 and 1 of 2014 and M.P. Nos.1, 1, 1, 1 and 1 of 2015 In W.P. No.34065 of 2014 M/s.Lavanya Enterprises rep. by its Managing Partner, M.M.Gupta P.B.No.44, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to Government of Tamilnadu, Environment & Forests Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-9 2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamilnadu Forest Department, Panagal Maaligai, Saidapet, Chennai-15 3. The District Forest Officer Tirupatthur 4. The District Forest Officer Salem ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to deliver to the petitioner the 57.5 Mts of sandalwood of the particular varieties purchased by the petitioner and confirmed by the 3rd respondent in his order dated 2.2.1999 in C.No.1136/99-5 For Petitioner : Mr.Aiyar & Dolia for Petitioner in W.P Nos.13057 to 13061 of 2015 Mr.Venkatachalapathy Senior Counsel in W.P. Nos.34065 to 34066 of 2014 For Respondents in all W.P.s : Mr.T. Gowthaman, Addl. Advocate General Asst. by Mr.M. Sivavarthanan Govt. Counsel COMMON