G.Santhanakrishnan v. The Principal Secretary

O R D E R ************ [Order of the Court was made by M.SUNDAR, J.] In the captioned matter, Mr.Ilayaraja Kandasamy, learned Counsel for PIL petitioner is before us on a 'video conferencing' ['VC' for brevity] platform and Mr.C.Ezhilarasu, second named Counsel in the PIL petition is before us. To be noted, this is a hybrid hearing.

2.PIL petitioner is concerned for sand mining in Kollidam.

3.Issue notice.

4.Mr.P.Thilak Kumar, learned Government Pleader accepts notice for respondents 1 to 5, 7 and 8. Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor accepts notice for sixth respondent and is instructed by Mr.S.Manivannan, Special Sub-Inspector of Police, Cholapuram Police Station, Thanjavur District [Mob. No.94981 10458].

5.In the light of the trajectory the matter has taken, it is not necessary to advert to further facts. Learned Government Pleader has placed before us an order dated 24.09.2023 bearing reference e.f.vz;.38/fdpkk;/2022 saying that orders qua temporary stoppage have been issued.

6.Learned State Prosecutor submits that law has been set into motion.

7.The narrative thus far makes it clear that the anxiety of the PIL petitioner has been addressed, therefore we draw the curtains on the captioned matter.

8.Captioned Writ Petition is disposed of as closed, recording what unfurls in the hearing today. There shall be no order as to costs. [M.S.,J.] & [R.S.V.,J.]

30.10.2023 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No MR To

1.The Principal Secretary, Mines and Minerals Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.

2.The Assistant Director (Mines), Office of the Department of Geology and Mining, 32B, 2, Mission Street, Maharnonbu Chavadi, Thanjavur – 613 001.

3.The Executive Engineer (Mines), Office of the Department of Geology and Mining, 32B, 2, Mission Street, Maharnonbu Chavadi, Thanjavur – 613 001.

4.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, Thanjavur District – 613 010.

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam – 612 001.

6.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the District Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur – 613 010.

7.The District Forest Officer, Office of the District Forest Officer, Pillaiyarpatti, Thanjavur – 613 403.

8.The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Kumbakonam – 612 001.

M.SUNDAR, J. and

R.SAKTHIVEL, J. MR

30.10.2023

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 30.10.2023 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.SUNDAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL G.Santhanakrishnan : Petitioner Vs. 1.The Principal Secretary, Mines and Minerals Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009. 2.The Assistant Director (Mines), Office of the Department of Geology and Mining, 32B, 2, Mission Street, Maharnonbu Chavadi, Thanjavur – 613 001. 3.The Executive Engineer (Mines), Office of the Department of Geology and Mining, 32B, 2, Mission Street, Maharnonbu Chavadi, Thanjavur – 613 001. 4.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, Thanjavur District – 613 010. 5.The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kumbakonam – 612 001. 6.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the District Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur – 613 010. 7.The District Forest Officer, Office of the District Forest Officer, Pillaiyarpatti, Thanjavur – 613 403. 8.The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Kumbakonam – 612 001. : Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.07.2023 and stop the illegal sand mining in the Kollidam River adjoining the Gurukoor Village in Aththiyur Panchayat and Kavarkkoodam Village in Neerthanallur Panchayat, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District. For Petitioner : Mr.Ilayaraja Kandasamy Assisted by Mr.C.Ezhilarasu For Respondents 1 to 5, 7&8 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader For Respondent No.6 : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor