Madrasdated High Court · 2025

W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchC.Subramani... Petitioner in W.P.No.1485 of 2024Gajendiran @ Chinnapan... Petitioner in W.P.No.4611 of 2024N.Srinivasan... Petitioner in W.P.No.4615 of 2024S.Savithiriyammal... Petitioner in W.P.No.4619 of 2024G.Suresh... Petitioner in W.P.No.4623 of 2024M.Vijaya... Petitioner in W.P.No.4626 of 2024Babu... Petitioner in W.P.No.4631 of 2024G.Ravi... Petitioner in W.P.No.4635 of 2024M.Anandhan... Petitioner in W.P.No.4638 of 2024R.Sankaran... Petitioner in W.P.No.4683 of 2024K.Vinayagam... Petitioner in W.P.No.4686 of 2024C.Amsaveni... Petitioner in W.P.No.4692 of 2024G.Venkatesan... Petitioner in W.P.No.4695 of 2024K.Ramesh... Petitioner in W.P.No.4697 of 2024M.Rajeshwari... Petitioner in W.P.No.5493 of 2024K.Srinivasan... Petitioner in W.P.No.5495 of 2024A.Imamkasim... Petitioner in W.P.No.5496 of 2024K.Umapathi... Petitioner in W.P.No.5499 of 2024S.Palani... Petitioner in W.P.No.5501 of 2024K.Suresh... Petitioner in W.P.No.5503 of 2024Page Nos.2/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchVs.1.The Assistant Divisional Engineer, State Highways Department Ka (Ma) Pa, Sathuvacharri, Vellore – 632 009.2.Karadikudi Village Panchayat rep. By its President, Karadikudi Village, D.C.Kuppam Post, G.R.Palayam via (Annaicut Taluk), Vellore District – 632 107. ... Respondents in all W.PsPrayer in W.P.No.1485 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 02.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (16)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4611 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (8)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4615 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (14)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4619 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Page Nos.3/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchCertiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (34)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4623 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (6)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4626 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (35)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4631 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (23)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4635 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (29)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4638 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (1)2023/E VA and quash the same.Page Nos.4/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPrayer in W.P.No.4683 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (52)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4686 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (15)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4692 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (45)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4695 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (5)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.4697 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (9)2023/E VA and quash the same.Page Nos.5/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPrayer in W.P.No.5493 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (15)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.5495 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (27)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.5496 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (21)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.5499 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (43)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.5501 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (30)2023/E VA and quash the same.Prayer in W.P.No.5503 of 2024:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Page Nos.6/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchCertiorari to call for the proceedings of the first respondent dated 12.01.2024 in Ka.No.515 (17)2023/E VA and quash the same.For Petitioner : Ms.Ramya Muralikumaranfor M/s.McGan Law Firmin all WPsFor Respondents:Mr.T.K.Saravanan,Additional Government Pleaderin all WPsCOMMON ORDER[Order of the Court was made by M.SUNDAR, J.,]This common order will govern 20 main 'Writ Petitions' (hereinafter 'WPs' in plural and 'WP' in singular for the sake of brevity) and 'Writ Miscellaneous Petitions' (hereinafter 'WMPs' in plural and 'WMP' in singular for the sake of brevity) thereat.2. The factual matrix is common and therefore all the captioned main WPs are taken up together. Captioned matters arise under 'The Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 (Tamil Nadu Act 34 of 2002)' {hereinafter 'said Act' for the sake of brevity, convenience and clarity}.Page Nos.7/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch3. Factual matrix in a nutshell is that R1 [Assistant Divisional Engineer, State Highway Department, Sathuvachari, Vellore] sent 'Show Cause Notices' (hereinafter 'SCNs' in plural and 'SCN' in singular for the sake of convenience and clarity) all dated 11.12.2023 bearing reference Show Cause Notice No.515(16)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(8)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(14)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(34)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(6)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(35)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(23)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(29)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(1)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(52)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(3)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(45)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(5)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(9)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(15)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(27)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(21)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(43)/2023/E.Va.A, Show Cause Notice No.515(30)/2023/E.Va.A and Show Cause Notice No.515(17)/2023/E.Va.A to each of the writ petitioners alleging encroachment on highway/area vested with the Government under said Act; that the noticees qua SCNs sent separate Page Nos.8/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchresponses all dated 23.12.2023; that in these responses styled 'Interim Reply', the noticees sought for two reports and two communications adverted to in the SCNs; that R1 responded to this vide 'separate orders dated 02.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515 (16)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(8)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (14)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(34)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(6)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(35)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(23)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(29)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(1)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(52)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(3)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(45)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(5)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(9)/2023/E.Va.A, separate orders dated 03.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515(15)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(27)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(21)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515(43)/2023/E.Va.A and separate orders dated 02.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515(30)/2023/E.Va.A and Ka.No.515(17)/2023/E.Va.A' (hereinafter referred to as 'impugned communications' collectively for the sake of convenience and clarity) calling upon noticees to come over to the office of R1 during working hours and peruse the two reports and two communications sought for; that writ petitioners submitted that they went over to the office of R1 and were not Page Nos.9/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchpermitted even to enter office much less peruse the records but learned State counsel disputes this and submits that the writ petitioners never turned up; that in the impugned communications, R1 has concluded that the writ petitioners are encroachers; that post impugned communications, R1 made 'further orders all dated 12.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515 (8)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (14)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (34)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (6)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (35)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (23)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (29)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (1)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (52)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (15)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (45)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (5)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (9)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (15)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (27)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (21)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (43)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (30)2023/E VA and Ka.No.515 (17)2023/E VA' (hereinafter 'further impugned orders' for the sake of convenience and clarity) stating that writ petitioners have not turned up to peruse the records/documents and therefore further action for removal of alleged encroachments is being embarked upon at the risk and peril of the writ petitioners; that assailing impugned communication, W.P.No.1485 of 2024 has been filed and assailing further impugned orders, captioned WPs (except W.P.No.1485 of 2024) have been filed.Page Nos.10/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch4. This Court with the consent of Ms.Ramya Muralikumaran of M/s.McGan Law Firm (Law Firm), learned counsel for writ petitioners in all the captioned WPs and Mr.T.K.Saravanan, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents in all the captioned WPs took up the main WPs and heard out the same.5. This Court finds that the entire matter turns on a short point and that short point in turn is pivoted on Section 28 of said Act which reads as follows:'28.Prevention of encroachment – (1) The Highways Authority or any person authorised by it in this behalf shall, at such time as may be considered necessary, conduct such checks and periodical inspection of the highway boundaries, with the view to ensure the prevention of unauthorised encroachment and the removal of such encroachment.(2) The Highways authority or any person authorised by it in this behalf, may--(i)remove, without any notice, any movable temporary structure, enclosure, stall, booth, any article whatsoever hawked, exposed or displayed for sale or any other thing whatsoever by way of encroaching the highway or in any area where the construction or Page Nos.11/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchdevelopment of a highway is undertaken or proposed to be undertaken.(ii) remove any immovable structure, whether permanent or temporary in nature, encroaching the highway or in the area vested with Government under this Act, after issuing a show cause notice against such removal, returnable within a period of seven days from the date of receipt thereof:Provided that any representation received within the time limit shall be considered by the authority or officer concerned before passing final orders.'6. To be noted, we are concerned with Section 28(2)(ii) of said Act and the proviso thereat.7. 'Highways Authority' is a defined term vide Section 2(1) read with Section 5(2) of said Act and there is no disputation before us that R1 qualifies as a person authorised by the Highways Authority. To be noted, amendments were brought in qua said Act vide Tamil Nadu Highways (Amendment) Act, 2024 (Act 11 of 2024) (Amending Act) with effect from 07.03.2024. Post amendment, it is 'Administrator' qua Section 28 of said Act which is also defined vide Section 2(13) read with Section 5(2). It is really not necessary to dilate more on this and Page Nos.12/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchit will suffice to write that there is no disputation regarding jurisdiction of R1 to issue SCNs. In any event, for the sake of abundant clarity and specificity, we set out authorisation in favour of R1 as placed before us and a scanned reproduction of the same is as follows:8. Reverting to the disputation at hand, we deem it appropriate Page Nos.13/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchto set out two points and they are as follows:(i) SCNs are not happily worded as they call upon noticees to remove the alleged encroachments within seven days but they also describe themselves as SCNs. Nonetheless noticees have treated the same as SCNs and they responded and therefore we leave it at that in this matter;(ii) We would not be embarking upon adjudication qua disputation as regards whether the writ petitioners went over to the office of R1 and were prevented from entering/perusing documents or whether they did not go at all, as this turns completely on facts.9. As already alluded to supra, in the replies to SCNs dated 23.12.2023 styled as 'Interim Reply', the noticees have specifically sought for copies of two reports of Tahsildar one dated 08.09.2023 and the other dated 05.12.2023. 08.09.2023 report of Tahsildar has been sent under cover of communication dated 05.10.2023 from Anaicut Assistant Engineer Highways Department to R1 and 05.12.2023 report has been sent by the same Anaicut Assistant Engineer Highways Department to R1 under cover of letter dated 07.12.2023. These two reports and the letters under cover of which same were communicated Page Nos.14/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchto R1 are now placed before us as part of the typed set of papers by the State and the same are as follows:Page Nos.15/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPage Nos.16/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPage Nos.17/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPage Nos.18/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPage Nos.19/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchPage Nos.20/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch10. Other annexures are also before us in the typed set of papers and learned counsel for writ petitioners have been favoured with copies of the same. Now that the writ petitioners have been favoured with copies adverted to in the SCNs, it would be appropriate for the writ petitioners to send final response to SCNs and the same are considered by the 'Authority or Officer concerned' for making 'final orders' vide proviso to Section 28(2)(ii) of said Act. To facilitate this drill, we deem it appropriate to set aside the impugned communications and Page Nos.21/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchfurther impugned orders without expressing any opinion or view on the allegations and denial of encroachments. We also deem it appropriate to add that the issue regarding protecting the petitioners if the construction is beyond road, the road widening mentioned in the order of Hon'ble Predecessor Bench dated 26.02.2024 and demarcation directive made in order dated 13.03.2024 made by another Hon'ble Predecessor Bench are left open for being raised by the writ petitioners in their replies to SCNs.11. In the light of the narrative, discussion and dispositive reasoning thus far, the following common order is made:11.1 All impugned communications of R1 dated 02.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515 (16)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (8)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (14)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (34)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (6)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (35)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (23)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (29)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (1)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (52)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (3)/2023/E.Va.A, Page Nos.22/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchKa.No.515 (45)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (5)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (9)/2023/E.Va.A, dated 03.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515 (15)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (27)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (21)/2023/E.Va.A, Ka.No.515 (43)/2023/E.Va.A and dated 02.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515 (30)/2023/E.Va.A and Ka.No.515 (17)/2023/E.Va.A are set aside;11.2 All further impugned orders of R1 all dated 12.01.2024 bearing reference Ka.No.515 (8)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (14)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (34)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (6)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (35)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (23)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (29)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (1)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (52)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (15)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (45)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (5)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (9)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (15)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (27)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (21)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (43)2023/E VA, Ka.No.515 (30)2023/E VA and Ka.No.515 (17)2023/E VA are set aside;Page Nos.23/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch11.3 We are dislodging the impugned communications and further impugned orders without expressing any view or opinion on the allegations and counter allegations qua encroachments and we are setting aside the same for the purpose of Section 28 legal drill to be completed;11.4 Writ petitioners shall now send further representation to SCNs dated 11.12.2023 within seven days from the date of uploading of this order;11.5 'Authority or Officer concerned' shall consider the interim replies dated 23.12.2023, further reply/representation to be sent and pass final orders vide proviso to Section 28(2)(ii) of said Act;11.6 Orders made in the aforesaid manner under proviso to Section 28(2)(ii) of said Act shall be served on each of the writ petitioners under due acknowledgement within five working days from the date on which the orders are made;Page Nos.24/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch11.7 If writ petitioners do not send representation/reply within seven working days from the date of uploading of this order, 'Authority or Officer concerned ' shall proceed to make final orders vide proviso to Section 28(2)(ii) of said Act on the basis of available records;11.8 If the aforementioned orders are in favour of the writ petitioners that would be curtains on the matter;11.9 If the aforementioned orders are not in favour of the writ petitioners, the same shall be kept in abeyance for a fortnight so as to enable the writ petitioners to seek judicial review of the orders if so advised and so desired;11.10 Though obvious, as already alluded to supra, all questions qua alleged encroaches and denial of demarcation are left open qua further representation to be sent by the writ petitioners;Page Nos.25/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch11.11 Though obvious, coercive action (if any and if that be so) will be subject only to 'final orders' to be made by 'Authority or Officer concerned ' with a rider that the same will be kept in abeyance for a fortnight, if it is adverse to the writ petitioners.12. Captioned WPs are disposed of vide instant common order in the aforesaid manner with observations and directives about which there is allusion supra. As we have made it clear that coercive action (if any and if that be) will be subject to 'final orders' to be made by 'Authority or Officer concerned' with a rider that the same be kept in abeyance, if it is adverse to the writ petitioners, captioned Writ Miscellaneous Petitions (WMPs) thereat have become otiose and the same are disposed of as closed. There shall be no order as to costs.(M.S.,J.)(H.C.,J.) 24.06.2025Index : Yes / NoNeutral Citation : Yes / NommiPage Nos.26/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchTo1.The Assistant Divisional Engineer, State Highways Department Ka (Ma) Pa, Sathuvacharri, Vellore – 632 009.2.Karadikudi Village Panchayat rep. By its President, Karadikudi Village, D.C.Kuppam Post, G.R.Palayam via (Annaicut Taluk), Vellore District – 632 107.Page Nos.27/28 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batchM.SUNDAR, J.,andHEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.,mmiW.P.No.1485 of 2024 etc., batch24.06.2025Page Nos.28/28