Nagaraj Pandian v. The District Collector

O R D E R The present writ petition has been filed seeking to challenge the auction notification dated 13.01.2026 issued by the fourth respondent for cutting and removal of karuvelam trees.

¶2According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, the petitioner was the successful bidder in an auction conducted in the year 2017. However, due to an inter-departmental dispute, the petitioner could not complete the cutting and removal of the karuvelam trees, despite having deposited the entire bid amount.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner also relied upon the order of this Court in W.P.(MD).No.18859 of 2025 dated 11.07.2025 in support of his contentions. However, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents brought to the notice of this Court that one C. Suresh had filed W.P.(MD).No.21722 of 2025 in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Government officials to conduct a fresh public auction for cutting and removal of Seema Karuvelam trees in Kondhagai Kanmai, situated at Kondhagai Village, Thiruppuvanam Taluk, Sivagangai District. In the said writ petition, an interim order was passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court on

07.08.2025, directing the official respondents not to grant permission for cutting karuvelam trees without conducting an open public auction, until further orders. In compliance with the said Division Bench order, the present impugned notification has been issued.

¶4In such circumstances, this Court cannot interfere with the impugned notification. It is open to the writ petitioner, who has been arrayed as the fifth respondent in W.P.(MD).No.21722 of 2025, to approach the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court to ventilate his grievances. Reserving such right to the petitioner, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

02.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No

Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No pal To

1.The District Collector, Sivagangai Collectorate, Sivagangai.

2.The District Forest Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Thasildhar, Thiruppuvanam Taluk, Sivagangai District. R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J. pal W.P(MD)No.2674 of 2026

02.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.2674 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD).Nos.2263, 2265 and 2334 of 2026 Nagaraj Pandian ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai Collectorate, Sivagangai. 2.The District Forest Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai. 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 4.The Thasildhar, Thiruppuvanam Taluk, Sivagangai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned proceeding in Muu.Mu.B2/15410/2025 issued by the first respondent dated on 27.07.2025 and subsequent impugned auction notification in Dinakaran newspapar dated 13.01.2026 issued by the fourth respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the first to fourth respondents to issue necessary permission to cut the karuvelam trees to the petitioner in accordance to the judgment rendered by this Court in W.P. (MD).No.18859 of 2025 dated 11.07.2025. For Petitioner : M/s.A.Banumathy For Respondents : Mrs.D.Farjana Ghoushia, Special Government Pleader