MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN W.P.Nos.17511, 20084 and 19880 of 2024 W.P.No.17511 of 2024 Elephant G.Rajendran

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 22.10.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA,
CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN
W.P.Nos.17511, 20084 and 19880 of 2024
W.P.No.17511 of 2024
Elephant G.Rajendran
S/o Govindasamy, Advocate
Plot No.4 Door No.10/301, Anjaneyar Kovil Street
Vengaivasal, Chennai 600 126
Petitioner
Vs
The Secertary
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department
Government of Tamil Nadu
Secretariat,
Chennai 600 009 and 10 others
Respondents W.P.No.20084 of 2024:
Elephant G.Rajendran
S/o.Govindasamy, Advocate,
Plot No.4, D.No.10/301,Anjaneyar Kovil Street,
Vengaivasal, Chennai-600 126
Petitioner(s) Vs
The Secretary
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Secretariat, Chennai -600 009 and 10 others
Respondents W.P.No.19880 of 2024:
Elephant G.Rajendran
S/o.Govindasamy, Advocate,
Plot No.4, Door No.10/301, Anjaneyar Kovil Street, Vengaivasal, Chennai-600 126.
Petitioner
Vs
The Secretary
Forest Department,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Secretariat, Chennai-9 and 13 others
Respondents W.P.No.17511 of 2024:
For Petitioner:
Mr.Elephant G.Rajendran Petitioner-in-person
For Respondents:
Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Spl. GP(HR&CE) for respondent Nos.1 and 3
Mr.J.Ravindran
Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar Special Government Pleader for respondent Nos.2, 4, 7 to 9 and 11
M/s. Daniel Mary
Standing Counsel for respondent No.10
COMMON ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Chief Justice)
On earlier dates, it was stated that notices have been issued
to the encroachers.
2. Today, when these cases are taken up for hearing, learned State counsel submits that, based on the survey regarding encroachments, notices have been issued to number of encroachers
and proceedings are on.
3. We expect the authorities to act expeditiously and take appropriate action against those who are, according to the official respondents’ report, found to be encroachers and free up the land
at the earliest.
4. If the private respondents herein claim to be holders of patta, that would be an issue for consideration.
5. Further, in view of the statement made by the petitioner, appearing in person, that notices have been issued only to the persons who encroached upon the slope of the hill, but no notice has been issued to the persons who have encroached upon large number of tanks and odai (waterbodies) in the area, learned State
counsel shall make a definite statement.
6. A status report shall be filed by the respondent authorities
within a period of two weeks.
7. On the next date of hearing, a list of all those persons who were identified as encroachers on the slope of the hill as well as on
the waterbodies shall be filed before this Court.
8. The TANGEDCO shall also file a separate status report qua the action taken in this matter.
List on 06.11.2025.
(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)
22.10.2025
bbr
To
1.The Secertary
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department
Government of Tamil Nadu
Secretariat, Chennai 600 009
2.The Secretary
Public Work Department (PWD)
Government of Tamil Nadu
Secretariat, Chennai 600 009
3.The Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department,
No.19, Nungambakkam High Road
Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034
4.The Commissioner
Land Administration,
Elilagam Chepauk
Chennai 600 004
5.The Executive Officer / Joint Commissioner
A/m Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
6.The Municipal Commissioner
Tiruvannamalai Corporation,
Tiruvannamalai
7.The Distirct Collector,
Tiruvannamalai District
8.The Thasildar
Revenue Department Tiruvannamalai
9.The Superintending Engineer
PWD Office, Kanchi Road, Tiruvannamalai 606 603
10.The Superintending Engineer
TANGEDCO, Vengikal, Tiruvannamalai
11.The Superintendent of Police
Tiruvannamalai District
Tiruvannamalai
12.The Secretary
Forest Department, Government Of Tamilnadu, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
13.The District Forest Officer
Tiruvannamalai District, Tiruvannamalai.
14.The Additional Director,
Survey, Settlement And Land Records Department, Chennai.