T.Prabhu v. The District Collector

O R D E R (Order of the Court was made by C.V. KARTHIKEYAN, J.) The Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Mandamus seeking a direction against the 1st-4th respondents to ensure that the 7th respondent operates the boat services in accordance with the conditions imposed at the time of granting license at Tamiraparani River.

2.This Court in its order, dated 30.07.2026, had observed as follows: "The fifth respondent may follow the conditions under which auction was conducted, in which the 7th respondent was the successful bidder for conducting boating operations at Thamirabarani River.

2.The seventh respondent may file an undertaking affidavit to abide by such conditions."

3.Accordingly, The 7th respondent had filed an affidavit and the relevant portion is as follows: "4.It is humbly submitted before this Hon'ble Court that I shall permit only 2 adults and 2 children at a time to board on my pedalling boats and that I will permit only 6 adults at a time to board on my rowing boats, as stipulated in the conditions of boating licence. I humbly submit that I will provide every person with safety life jackets and other necessary safety gears before they board my boats."

4.A direction is issued to the respondents 5 and 6, namely, the Executive Officer, Kadaiyal I Grade Town Panchayat, Town Panchayat Office, Kadaiyal and the Executive Officer, Thirparappu Selection Grade Town Panchayat, to ensure that the 7th respondent is adhering to the undertaking extracted above. If at any point of time, it is found that the 7th respondent is violating any of the conditions, the 5th and 6th respondents are at liberty to lodge a complaint before the 8th respondent, as there is possibility of endangering human life and if a complaint is so lodged, the 8th respondent may first conduct a preliminary enquiry by registering a CSR and thereafter, take action in accordance with law.

5.Recording as above, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

[C.V.K, J.] [R.S.V, J.] Index :Yes / No

06.08.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To

1.The District Collector, Kanniyakumari District, O/o. District Collectorate, Nagercoil-629 001.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Kanniyakumari District, Nagercoil - 1.

3.The Assistant Director, Town Panchayat, Nagercoil Zonal, Kanniyakumari District – 1.

4.The Executive Engineer, Water Regulation Authority, Public Works Department, Kothaiyaru Basin Division, Kanniyakumari District, Nagercoil - 629 001.

4.The Inspector of Police, Kadayalumedu Police Station, Kannyakumari District. C.V. KARTHIKEYAN

, J.

AND

R.SAKTHIVEL, J.

cmr

06.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.08.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V. KARTHIKEYAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.6895 and 7645 of 2026 T.Prabhu ... Petitioner vs. 1.The District Collector, Kanniyakumari District, O/o. District Collectorate, Nagercoil-629 001. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Kanniyakumari District, Nagercoil - 1. 3.The Assistant Director, Town Panchayat, Nagercoil Zonal, Kanniyakumari District - 1. 4.The Executive Engineer, Water Regulation Authority, Public Works Department, Kothaiyaru Basin Division, Kanniyakumari District, Nagercoil - 629 001. 5.The Executive Officer, Kadaiyal I Grade Town Panchayat, Town Panchayat Office, Kadaiyal 629 101. 6.The Executive Officer, Thirparappu Selection Grade Town Panchayat, Kulasekaram, Kannyakumari District - 629 161. 7.D.Franko Livingston 8.The Inspector of Police, Kadayalumedu Police Station, Kannyakumari District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to take appropriate legal action against the respondents 5 to 7 who are causing danger to the human life by allowing the 7th respondent to illegally operating the boat services without any license to the boats and also without providing life jacket to the tourist at the Tamiraparani River within the jurisdiction of the 5th respondent town panchayat and consequently seize the boats operated by the 7th respondent based on the petitioner's complaint and representation dated 04.02.2026 and 28.02.2026 within the period stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner :Mr.T.Ramasamy For R1 to R6 :Mr.S.I.Muthiah Additional Government Pleader For R7 :Mr.T.Lajapathy Roy Senior Counsel for M/s.Roy and Roy Associates For R8 :Mr.P.Vetrivel Government Advocate (Crl.side) *****