Ramakrishnan v. The District Collector

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by C.V. KARTHIKEYAN, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed to remove all unauthorized caste-related boards, banners, name boards, flex boards and other similar structures erected without obtaining permission from the competent authorities in public places, Government poromboke lands, road margins and other public properties within the jurisdiction of Nokkankottai Village, Alagardevankottai, R.S.Mangalam Taluk, Ramanathapuram District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.04.2026 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶2Purusant to the order of this Court dated 17.07.2026, report had been filed by the District Collector, Ramanathapuram, in which, it had been stated as follows: I submit the following factual report for filing an appropriate status report before the Hon'ble Court in the above matter. The Tahsildar, Rajasingamangalam, has reported that, as per the village revenue records, Survey No.182/7, measuring

0.44.45 hectares, is classified as Gramanatham, while Survey No.182/4, measuring 1.79.50 hectares, is classified as Natham, Kalam, Orani, Vadipathai and Koil. He has been further reported that three signboards displaying caste-based symbols had been erected on the aforesaid lands without any permission from the competent authority. The said signboards were removed on 19.07.2026. Photographs of the same have also been annexed along with the report. We deeply appreciate the steps taken by Mr. Sivaguru Prabakaran, I.A.S., District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, who examined the nature of the Writ Petition and immediately took steps to remove the offending boards.

¶3In view of the above, this Writ Petition stands closed. No costs.

[C.V.K., J.] & [R.S.V., J.]

23.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To

1.The District Collector,

2.The District Revenue Officer,

3.The Superintendent of Police,

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Ramanathapuram,

5.The Tahsildar, R.S.Mangalam Taluk,

6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thiruvadanai Sub-Division,

7.The Inspector of Police, R.S.Mangalam Police Station, C.V.oKARTHIKEYAN,oJ. AND oR.SAKTHIVELoo,oJo. Indu W.P(MD)oNo.20401oofo2026s

23.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V. KARTHIKEYAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL W.P(MD) No.20401 of 2026 Ramakrishnan ...... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, 2.The District Revenue Officer, 3.The Superintendent of Police, 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Ramanathapuram, 5.The Tahsildar, R.S.Mangalam Taluk, 6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thiruvadanai Sub-Division, 7.The Inspector of Police, R.S.Mangalam Police Station, ...... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to identify and remove all unauthorized caste-related boards, banners, name boards, flex boards and other similar structures erected without obtaining permission from the competent authorities in public places, Government poromboke lands, road margins and other public properties within the jurisdiction of Nokkankottai Village, Alagardevankottai, R.S.Mangalam Taluk, Ramanathapuram District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.04.2026 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Vinodh For R1, R2, R4 : Mr.S.I.Muthiah and R5 Counsel for State of TN For R3, R6 and R7: Mr.P.Vetrivel Government Advocate (crl.side)