Madurai Bench* Division Bench: Justices N. Sathish Kumar & M. Jothiraman — 1. Specific Direction to 14 Collectors

by Sekar Reporter · Published May 3, 2026 · Updated May 3, 2026

*Times of India | 03.05.2026*
*Madras HC – Madurai Bench*
*Division Bench*: Justices N. Sathish Kumar & M. Jothiraman

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*1. Specific Direction to 14 Collectors*
HC told *14 District Collectors* in Southern & Central TN under Madurai Bench jurisdiction to *fence all abandoned quarries within 3 months* to stop human & animal deaths.

*Districts covered*: Southern + Central TN districts. ToI specifies 14 collectors.

*2. How to Pay for It*
– Use *“green funds already available”* with Collectors
– *Recover costs from leaseholders* who abandoned quarries without restoration

*3. Why the Order – Recent Deaths*
1. *Yanaimalai, Othakadai*: 2 women drowned in 2023, 1 man in Aug 2024 in water-filled quarry pits
2. *Sivaganga, Mallakottai*: 6 workers killed in rockslide at stone quarry

*4. Legal Basis: Green Fund Rules*
*Tamil Nadu Mines & Mineral Concession Rules, 1959* – Rule 35A mandates Green Fund for reclamation of abandoned mines. Rule 35E & 35F require district committees.

RTI showed 23 districts formed committees, but only 6 met monthly.

*5. Background Litigation*
– *PIL by N. Abdul Rahman Jalal*: Sought fencing of Yanaimalai quarries after deaths
– *PIL by R. Sathiamoorthy*: Asked for Green Fund implementation statewide
– *Advocate B. Stalin PIL*: 15 deaths from 2012-2023 in Melur/Madurai North abandoned quarries

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*Bottom Line*: HC gave 14 Collectors a hard 3-month deadline. Abandoned quarries = death traps. Fence them with Green Fund money, then chase leaseholders for reimbursement. Court’s reacting to years of drownings & rockslide deaths, plus non-implementation of existing 1959 Rules.

Same order reported by The Hindu yesterday.