A. John Kennedy vs State of Tamil Nadu

Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(SC) 652

VIKRAM NATH, SANDEEP MEHTA
A. John Kennedy – Appellant
Versus
State of Tamil Nadu – Respondent

Advocates appeared:
For the Appellant(s) : Ms. Purnima Krishna, AOR Mr. M.f.philip, Adv. Mr. Karamveer Singh Yadav, Adv. Mr. Togin M. Babichen, Adv. Mr. Prasanna S., AOR Ms. Injila Muslim Zaidi, Adv. Mr. Maamidi Ashish Reddy, Adv. Mr. Prasanna B, Adv. Ms. Ishita Tulsyan, Adv.
For the Respondent(s):Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, A.S.G. Mr. Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR Mr. Sarthak Karol, Adv. Mr. Aaditya Dixit, Adv. Mr. Shantnu Sharma, Adv. Mr. Bhuvan Kapoor, Adv. Mr. Rohan Gupta, Adv. Mr. Vijay Narayan, Advocate General Ms. Purnima Krishna, AOR Mr. M.f.philip, Adv. Mr. Karamveer Singh Yadav, Adv. Mr. Togin M. Babichen, Adv.

ORDER :

Mehta, J.

1. Heard in part.

2. The instant appeals involve two diverse issues concerning (i) preservation of Reserve Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves in the State of Tamil Nadu, and (ii) the claim of the appellants, being displaced tea estate workers, claiming rehabilitation pursuant to their eviction from an erstwhile tea estate, the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation Limited (BBTCL) located in Singampatti, Tamil Nadu, after the same was declared to be a Reserved Forest, Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

3. While considering the larger issue relating to ecological preservation and protection of wildlife habitats in the Agasthyamalai landscape, this Court vide order dated 24th March 2025 issued the following interim directions: -

“27. In view of the submissions noted above and as an interim measure, to initiate the process of restoration of the pristine forest areas and to protect the tiger habitats/wildlife reserves/sanctuaries falling under the Agasthyamalai landscape, we hereby direct the CEC to conduct an extensive survey of the entire Agasthyamalai landscape, which would include Periyar Tiger Res

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2026 Supreme(SC) 652

VIKRAM NATH, SANDEEP MEHTAA. John Kennedy – AppellantVersusState of Tamil Nadu – Respondent

Cases Referred (1)

VIKRAM NATH, SANDEEP MEHTA
A. John Kennedy – Appellant
Versus
State of Tamil Nadu – Respondent