Ramaiah v. The Principal Secretary to Government

ORDER Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader for R1 to R6. Issuance of notice to R7 is dispensed with.

¶2The petitioner is a resident of Poovalaikudi village in Ponnamaravathy Taluk. He alleges that in the petition mentioned survey numbers, the 7th respondent is erecting solar panels. Copy of the "A" register of Arasamalai village has been enclosed. It is seen therefrom that S.Nos.430 & 388 have been classified as water bodies.

¶3We direct the fourth respondent to conduct survey in this regard. Notices will be issued to the concerned temples as well as 7th respondent. If the fourth respondent comes to the conclusion after due enquiry and after giving opportunity to the 7th respondent that on the water bodies, the solar panels are being erected, action will be immediately taken to have the same removed. In other words, the original position and the water bodies will be restored. This exercise shall be completed within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶4The writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

[G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.]

12.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi To

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai.

2.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector,

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Illuppur,

4.The Tahsildar, Ponnamaravathi Taluk,

5.The Joint Commissioner, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

6.The Assistant Commissioner, South Rajaveethi, Pudukkottai Town, G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J and

B.PUGALENDHI, J. rmi W.P(MD)No.3709 of 2026

12.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.3709 of 2026 & W.M.P.(MD)Nos.3009 & 3011 of 2026 Ramaiah ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai. 2.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Illuppur, 4.The Tahsildar, Ponnamaravathi Taluk, 5.The Joint Commissioner, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District. 6.The Assistant Commissioner, South Rajaveethi, Pudukkottai Town, 7.Mandothari Apparels Private Limited, NO.67/2, Alankattuputhur, Uthukkuli Road, S.Periyapalayam Post, Tiruppur Post & District. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents No.1 to 5 to remove the encroachment made by the respondent No.7 in Devan Enthalkanmai comprised in Survey No. 430 to an extent 4.37.5 Hectares, Survey No. 388 to an extent 0.59.0 Ares classified as temple Oorani situated at Arasamalai RevenueVillage, Ponnamaravathi Taluk Pudukkottai District and adjacent to the said Kanmai a land comprised in Survey No.399 to an extent of 1.91.0 Ares which is belonged to Bhuvaneshwarar and Poovalanatchiamman Temple now under the control of Archeological Department, Survey No. 389 to an extent of 0.92.5 Ares Savakkaran temple and 397/4 is belonged to Karuppar Temple, S.No.385/1 to an extent of 0.04.4 Ares classified as pathway, S.No.386/3 to an extent of 0.14.0 Ares classified as Cart track, S.No.411/1 to an extent of 0.77.0 Ares classified as Cart Track, S.No.386/1, 386/4, 411/2 which is classified as natham Government poromboke and the same was used by the devotees of the said temple during the festival season based on the petitioner's representation dated 03.01.2026 within time frame as fixed by this Court. For Petitioner :Mr.S.Alagusundar For Respondents :Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader for R1 to R6