Karu. Rajendran v. The Director General,

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.] The District Forest Officer, Pudukkottai District, is present, pursuant to the direction issued by this Court on 28.01.2026 and filed a report stating that plantation activity in the forest area been suspended since 2019 and the entire area is declared as reserve forest. Considering the historical importance of presence of Menhir, Cairn Circle and Dolmens which are probably more than 300 years old, necessary steps taken for protecting the same. The photographs of the Menhir, Cairn Circle etc., are enclosed.

2.The report of the archeology department dated 13.05.2019 also indicates that the site belongs to Megalithic period and can be datable to 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE. The said report had pointed out indiscriminate activity of the forest department destroying the surface and no inscriptions are noticed on the Menhirs in the site.

3.The present report of the District Forest Officer now ensures that they have stopped their activities inside the forest area and had protected the area by placing board. We find that this step is not sufficient. The archeology department with the cooperation of the forest department has to fence the area where the articles of historical importance are present and take control of that area and if necessary, make appropriate historical research as deem fit.

4.With this observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

[G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.]

30.01.2026 NCC : Index : Internet:

MR To

1.The Director General, Archeological Survey of India, 24, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110 001.

2.The Commissioner Archeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Valarchi Valagam, Thanizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai.

3.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Art and Culture, Secretariat, Chennai.

4.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Forest and Environment, Secretariat, Chennai.

5.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District.

6.The District Forest Officer, Machuvadi, Pudukkottai District.

7.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai. DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN,,J. AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN,,J. MR W.P.(MD)No.8483,of,2019

30.01.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.01.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.(MD)No.8483 of 2019 and W.M.P.(MD)No.6639 of 2019 Karu.Rajendran ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Director General, Archeological Survey of India, 24, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110 001. 2.The Commissioner Archeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Valarchi Valagam, Thanizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai. 3.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Art and Culture, Secretariat, Chennai. 4.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Forest and Environment, Secretariat, Chennai. 5.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District. 6.The District Forest Officer, Machuvadi, Pudukkottai District. 7.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai. ... Respondents [R7 is suo motu impleaded vide order dated 09.04.2019] PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, thereby directing the respondents 1 and 2 to do research in Kannanur Reserve Forest, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District, the historical importance of the presence of Menhir, Cairn Circle ascertain, dolmen cyst. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Chandrasekaran For Respondent : Mr.K.R.Laxman, Standing Counsel