The Special Leave Petition challenging the directions of the Madurai High Court for the removal of the Panchayat Office, Huge overhead Water Tank, and Park, alleged to have been constructed in a water body at Ilayankudi, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, came up for hearing today before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The matter was heard by a Bench comprising the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, Hon’ble Mr Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Hon’ble Mr Justice Vipul Pancholi.

The Special Leave Petition challenging the directions of the Madurai High Court for the removal of the Panchayat Office, Huge overhead Water Tank, and Park, alleged to have been constructed in a water body at Ilayankudi, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, came up for hearing today before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The matter was heard by a Bench comprising the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, Hon’ble Mr Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Hon’ble Mr Justice Vipul Pancholi.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court granted an interim stay on the operation of the impugned orders passed by the Madras High Court, which had directed the removal of the said structures. The Special Leave Petition was filed by the Executive Officer of Ilayankudi Panchayat, challenging the High Court’s directions.

Appearing for the petitioners, Learned Senior Counsel Mr P. Wilson submitted that the constructions in question had not disturbed the hydrological or ecological functions of the water body. He presented scientific and technical assessments demonstrating that the natural inflow and outflow channels remained unobstructed and that the storage capacity and overall functioning of the water tank remained intact despite these constructions, which were directed to be removed by the High Court.

Learned Senior Counsel further submitted that the constructions of the Overheas tank of 4 lakh litres of water and the Panchayat office were carried out at an approximate cost of ₹1.4 crore and formed part of an integrated development initiative aimed at strengthening civic administration and improving water security for the local population of about 30,000 residents. It was also pointed out that the project facilitated the provision of 3,200 additional household tap connections, thereby enhancing access to potable water and water security.

Taking note of the submissions and materials placed on record, the Hon’ble Supreme Court issued notice in the Special Leave Petition. It granted an interim stay of the High Court’s earlier orders directing the removal of the structures until further orders.