Azhagappan R v. The District Collector

ORDER The writ petition has been filed seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take necessary action by permitting the respondents 6 and 7 to engage in fish harvesting in Seerathakudi Kanmai, situated at Seerathakudi Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District.

¶2The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner Association is an Ayacutdars Association and is entitled to 50% of the revenue generated from fish harvest in the tank. It is submitted that in terms of G.O.(Ms)No.112, Public Works

(W2) Department, dated 22.05.2017, the said amount is to be utilized for maintenance of irrigation channels. It is further submitted that for the current year, though the auction for fish harvest was initially notified, the same was subsequently cancelled on account of the election notification. The petitioner has approached this Court on the ground that the fish harvest should be conducted at the earliest, since the water level is depleting day by day and the fishes are dying, making it the appropriate time for harvesting.

¶3When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Special Government Pleader, on written instructions, submitted that though the auction was earlier proposed to be conducted on 17.03.2026, the same was cancelled, however, it has now been rescheduled to 06.05.2026 and the auction will be conducted in accordance with law after due publicity.

¶4In view of the said submission, the grievance of the petitioner stands redressed. The respondents are directed to proceed with the auction by giving due and proper publicity.

¶5Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

29.04.2026 NCC : No smn2 To:-

1.The District Collector,

2.The Superintendent of Police,

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ponnamaravathi,

4.The Inspector of Police, Thirumayam Police Station,

5.The Executive Engineer, South Vellar Division Basin, Water Resource Department,

6.The Assistant Director of Fisheries,

7.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department, Thirumayam Sub Division Basin, South Vellar Division Basin, D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY

, J.

smn2

29.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY R.Azhagappan, S/o.A.Ramaiah, President, PAM-023, Seeratha Kanmai, Maanam Periyaan Kanmai and Nanga Kanmai Water Users Association, Seerathkudi Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District – 622 503. ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The District Collector, 2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Superintendent of Police, 3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ponnamaravathi, 4.The Inspector of Police, Thirumayam Police Station, 5.The Executive Engineer, South Vellar Division Basin, Water Resource Department, 6.The Assistant Director of Fisheries, 7.The Assistant Engineer, Water Resource Department, Thirumayam Sub Division Basin, South Vellar Division Basin, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take necessary action by permitting the respondents 6 and 7 to engage in fish harvesting in the Seerathakudi Kanmai, situates at Seerathakudi Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District with necessary police protection and further directing the respondents 5 and 7 to deposit 50% of revenue generated out of fish harvesting in the bank account maintained by the petitioner association in terms of G.O. (Ms)No.112, Public Works (W2) Department, dated 22.05.2017. For Petitioners : Mr.B.Vinothkumar For R1 & R5 to R7 : Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader For R2 to R4 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Criminal side)