S. Deepak v. The State of Tamilnadu Rep by

ORDER The present petition has been filed by the successful tenderer from the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, seeking a direction to the respondent police to provide adequate police protection for undertaking the project.

2.According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, a tender was floated by Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare for the purpose of establishment of multi-purpose Seaweed Processing Park at Kandarvakottai in Pudukottai district. The petitioner was the successful bidder. Approval was granted to the petitioner on 05.03.2024 and work order was also issued to the petitioner with the condition that the work should be completed within a period of 15 months and the petitioner has also entered into an agreement with the concerned Department.

3.The grievance of the petitioner is that the local people are raising objections, alleging that there may be depletion of groundwater due to the establishment of the said project and they are preventing the petitioner from undertaking the project. Hence, the petitioner has given a representation to the respondent police on 03.08.2026 to provide adequate Police protection. Thereafter, a Peace Committee meeting was also conducted. In the peace committee meeting, it was assured that proper protection would be granted for the regular water supply to the villagers.

4.It could also be seen from the records that on 28.07.2026, a communication has been addressed by the Chief Engineer, Fishing Harbour Project Circle, Nandanam to the Director of Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare Department, Nandanam to the effect that permission may be granted to the Executive Engineer, Fishing Harbour Project Division, Nagapatinam, for obtaining detailed project report towards arranging water supply pipeline to draw water required from the Thirukattupalli Dam in Trichy District to the project site of establishment of Multi-purpose Seaweed Park at Kandarvakottai in Pudukottai. Therefore, according to the petitioner, they have made alternative arrangements to draw water from a different source. He further submits that they are not going to rely upon the bore well in the said locality and the apprehension relating to depletion of groundwater is misconceived.

5.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent submitted that they have taken steps to pacify the villagers and clarify that the project is not going to affect the water supply to them.

6.In such view of the matter, there shall be a direction to the respondents as well as the officials concerned from the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, to see that the project is completed within the time frame fixed in the said tender and to provide adequate police protection, if necessary.

7.With the aforesaid observations, this Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of.

19.08.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Note: Issue order copy on 20.08.2026 PNM To The Superintendent of Police, O/o.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai District.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Gandarvakottai Sub-Division, Pudkkottai District.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Gandarvakottai Police Station, Pudkkottai District.

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. R.VIJAYAKUMAR

, J.

PNM

Crl.OP.(MD)No.17837 of 2026

19.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 19.08.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.OP.(MD)No.17837 of 2026 S. Deepak ... Petitioner Vs 1. The State of Tamilnadu Rep By, The Superintendent of Police, O/o.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai District. 2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Gandarvakottai Sub-Division, Pudkkottai District. 3. The Inspector of Police, Gandarvakottai Police Station, Pudkkottai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS., to direct the respondent no.1 to 3 herein to provide adequate and necessary police protection based on the representation dated.03.08.2026 for such period as may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr. Niranjan S. Kumar For Respondents : Mr.V.Shathurthi Raja Government Advocate (Crl.Side)