Narayanamoorthy v. Vidyavathi

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by C.V.Karthikeyan, J.) This contempt petition has been filed complaining that the order of this Court in WP.(MD)No.22596 of 2018 dated 11.03.2019 has not been complied with.

2.The above said writ petition had been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to take action for excavation and scientific research at the archaeological site of Iraviamangalam which is situating 12 K.M. apart from Western Side of the Palani in Latitude-10.25.47 degree North, Longitude-77.26.18 degree East, Dindigul District within the time stipulated by this Court.

3.A status report has today been filed in the writ petition by the second respondent, wherein, in paragraph Nos.7, 8, 9 and 10, it has been stated as follows:- "7.I respectfully submit that the team visited at the site along with petitioner Mr.Narayanamoorthy on 21.02.2026. The field survey was conducted by the team from 10AM to 3PM. The site of Iravimangalam which is situated 12 km away from Western side of the Palani in Latitude -10.25.47 degree North, Longitude - 77.26.18 degree East and 2 km to the north of Thathanaickanpatti village, Dindigul district. The Iron age site falls in between the Iravimangalam-Thathanaickanpatti villages. During the survey, it is observed that majority of the Iron Age burial site falls within the southern boundary of Thathanaickanpatti village. The iron age and early historical groves of stone circle, cairn packing, urn burials and cist burials are found in southern part of Thathanayakanpatti village, western side of the Iravimangalam tank and eastern side of the kavalappatti village. Iron Age, early historic period burial remains such as stone circles, cairn burials, and urn burials were identified in this area. This burial site extends over an area of approximately 100 acres. Most of the stone circles are found in a damaged condition on the surface and it is observed that a subsurface remains are in undisturbed condition in the western part of the Iravimangalm Tank. A quantity of iron slag (remains of iron smelting) is found on the eastern side of these stone circles.

8.I respectfully submit that the above-mentioned site had already been surveyed earlier, and the report was submitted to the Head Office. It has been included in the priority list for excavation as per the High Court directive, and a counter affidavit was filed before the Chennai High court Madurai Bench on 21.06.2024.

9.I respectfully submit that The LIDAR (lighting Detection and Ranging) survey for contour mapping and digital elevation models was conducted and sent for excavation proposal.

10.I respectfully submit that, based on the present survey, it is evident that there is potential for conducting excavation in this area. It is also recommended that excavation may be undertaken in the forthcoming excavation seasons and that preliminary works for excavation is in progress."

4.The same report had also been filed in the contempt petition. Recording the statement made that further excavation would be carried out and that the respondents have understood the importance of the place and its historical value, this contempt petition stands closed. [C.V.K., J.] & [R.S.V., J.]

06.08.2026

Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes GNS To

1.The Director General, Archeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi-110011.

2.The Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Department of Archeology, Tamil Valarchi Valaagam, Thamizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai-600 008. C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J and R. SAKTHIVEL, J GNS

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 Narayanamoorthy ... Petitioner Vs. 1.Smt.Vidyavathi IAS, The Director General, Archeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi-110011. 2.Thiru.T.Udhayachandran IAS, The Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Department of Archeology, Tamil Valarchi Valaagam, Thamizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai-600 008. ... Respondents PRAYER:- Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971, to initiate contempt proceedings against the Contemnors/Respondents 1 & 2 for their wilful disobedience of the order of this Court in WP.(MD)No.22596 of 2018 dated 11.03.2019 and punish them under the Contempt of Court Act. For Petitioner : Dr.R.Alagumani For R1 : Mr.Karthikeya Venkatachalapathy, Additional Solicitor General of India For R2 : Mr.K.K.Udayakumar, Government Advocate(Crl.side)