BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.12.2025 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.(MD)No.18803 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)No.14449 of 2025 V.Aravinth ... Petitioner -vs-

1.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Fort St. George, Chennai – 9.

2.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of School Education, Fort. St. George, Chennai – 9.

3.The Director of School Education, Chennai – 6.

4.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District.

5.The District Revenue Officer, Thoothukudi District.

6.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi District.

7.The Chief Educational Officer, Thoothukudi District.

8.The Head Master, Sri Muthu Malaiamman Government Higher Secondary School, Siruthondanallur, Thoothukudi – 628 802.

Pudukkottai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 8 not to construct any building in the Play Ground of Sri Muthu Malaiamman Government Higher Secondary School, Siruthondanallur in an extent of 5 acres in S.No. 306/1B, 306/2B, Siruthondanallur, Thoothukudi District and preserve the same as School Play Ground for the use of School Children by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 24.06.2025, within the time period stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Aswin Raja Simman For Respondents : Mr.M.Ajmal Khan, Additional Advocate General Mr.J.Ashok, Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.]

Writ Petition is filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents not to convert the play ground of Sri Muthu Malaiamman Government Higher Secondary School, Siruthondanallur in an extent of 5 acres in S.No.306/1B, 306/2B, Siruthondanallur, Thoothukudi District and preserve the play ground for the use of school children, considering the representation of the petitioner dated 24.06.2025.

2.The concern expressed by the petitioner herein is that she is a former student of Sri Muthu Malaiamman Government Higher Secondary School. On hearing that the Government has proposed to put up a construction in the playground, has made a representation not to reduce the playground area which is very much necessary for the school children as well the youth in the village. However, apprehending that the Government is likely to proceed with their proposal to construct new building in the school reducing the playground area, the present Writ Petition is filed.

3.Learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the respondents would submit that the said school is located in 8.67 acres of land gifted by the public. The Government has proposed to construct an Industrial Training Institute [ITI] for the welfare of the rural students in the school premises and also a multipurpose evacuation centre which will be used for sheltering victims of distress when it required and all other time it will be used as a classroom. He further submitted that the area earmarked for these two buildings is on the different survey numbers and the proposed building will not reduce the playground area.

4.A rough sketch of the field covering survey Nos.305, 306, 307, 308 & 311 is produced before this Court with coloured area indicating the existing playground and the proposed ITI as well as the multipurpose evacuation centre. From the sketch, we find that the play ground is in 1.07.50 hectares and the proposed ITI is in 0.70.85 ares, which falls in S.No.306/1B and 306/2B. We take note of the fact that the existing playground area is not taken for the construction of the proposed ITI and shelter and also we record the undertaking given by the learned Additional Advocate General that at no point of time, the playground area of the school will be disturbed for any other purpose. We also hasten to add that even in future for no other purpose, exc