Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI G.Selvarasu S/o. Ganapathi, No.1/206 Kattukottai, PA. Kothanur Village, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State Rep By The District Collector,
2. The Divisional Engineer (Highways) Virudhachalam Division,
3. The Assistant Divisional Engineer (Highways), Tittakudi Sub Division,
4. The Assistant Engineer Public Works Department, Virudhachalam,
5. The Superintendent of Police
6. The Inspector of Police Veppur Police Station, ..Respondent(s) Page1 of 6
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for an issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to take appropriate action for laying pipeline beneath earth along with the highway road running between kattumailur-Aadhiyur Road to Agriculture purpose which is situated at Kattukottai Pa.Kothanur Village, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District by the Petitioner and directing the respondent 5 and 6 to provide police protection, by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 09.09.2024.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Senthil Kumar For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Selvendran for R1 to R4 Special Government Pleader Mr.V.Meganathan, for R5 and R6 Government Advocate (Crl.Side)
ORDER
With consent on either side, the main Writ Petition itself is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage.
2. This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to
take appropriate action for laying pipeline beneath earth along with the highway road running between Kattumailur-Aadhiyur Road to Agriculture purpose, which is situated at Kattukottai Pa.Kothanur Village, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District by the Petitioner and directing the respondent 5 and 6 to provide police protection, by considering the petitioner’s representation. Page2 of 6
3. According to the petitioner, he is an agriculturist and he is in
possession of a Well and motor pump in S.No.44/1B and agricultural lands with Patta in S.No.13/3B, 13/2A, S.No.11/B/6A. Further, for the purpose of irrigation in the said agricultural lands, the petitioner decided to bring water from his Well to the agricultural lands through State Highways by laying pipeline beneath earth along with the Highway road running between Kattumailur and Aadhiyur Road and accordingly, necessary charges were paid. After obtaining the permission, the petitioner laid pipe line, in the meantime, local village people objected for laying pipeline and therefore, the Highways authority communicated an order dated 13.02.2025 to stop the work and directed to approach the police and revenue authority. Thereafter, the petitioner lodged a complaint and upon filing Criminal Original Petition, this Court ordered the 6th respondent to conduct enquiry. While so, another Villager, namely, Muniyan filed W.P.No.25596 of 2025 before this Court objecting the laying of pipeline and this Court vide order dated 15.07.2025 directed the petitioner therein and the petitioner herein to submit a detailed representation and thereafter, the petitioner submitted a representation, however, the same was not considered, hence the present writ petition.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 as well as
the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 5 Page3 of 6 and 6 would submit that the respondents 2 and 3 are the appropriate authorities to consider the representation of the petitioner, thereby a direction and sufficient time may be granted to the respondents 2 and 3 to consider the representation of the petitioner.
5. In view of the limited prayer sought for by the petitioner, without
going into the merits of the case, this Court hereby directs the respondents 2 and 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 14.09.2025 on merits and pass appropriate orders within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of copy of the order, after providing opportunity to all the aggrieved parties. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 30-03-2026 Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No ssd To
1. The State Rep By The District Collector,
2. The Divisional Engineer (Highways) Virudhachalam Division, Page4 of 6
3. The Assistant Divisional Engineer (Highways), Tittakudi Sub Division,
4. The Assistant Engineer Public Works Department, Virudhachalam,
5. The Superintendent of Police
6. The Inspector of Police Veppur Police Station, Page5 of 6
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
ssd 30-03-2026 7. Page6 of 6