IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 21.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 934 of 2026 S.Kalaiselvi ...Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Palladam Road, Tirupur District - 641 604.

2.Revenue Divisional Officer, Townhall, Tirupur District - 641 601.

3.The Assistant Director, Collectorate Office, Department of Geology & Mining, Tirupur District - 641604.

4.The Thashildar, Palladam Taluk Office, Palladam - 641 664.

5.The Village Administrative Officer, Kodangipalayam Village, Palladam – 641 662. ...Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the petitioner’s representation dated 10.05.2025, in accordance with G.O.Ms.No. 170, Industries (M.M.C.2) Department dated 05.08.2020, seeking a comprehensive field inspection using the latest technology including DGPS satellite survey and drone survey of the quarrying operations carried out in Kodangipalayam Village, Palladam Taluk, Tiruppur District, in Survey Nos. 27/1, 10/8, 28/lB, 28/2A, 25/lA, 25/lB , 25/ID, and 10/2A also all active and inactive quarries in Survey Nos. 10, 27 and 28; and upon finding violations, to initiate necessary remedial actions including suspension or cancellation of illegal quarry operations, recovery of the cost of illegally mined minerals along with 15 times the seigniorage fee and royalty, in accordance with Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, initiation of criminal proceedings in terms of law and the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Common Cause v. Union of India (2017) 9 SCC 499.

For Petitioner : Mr. N.D.Sivakumaran For Respondents : Mr. Stalin Abhimanyu Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

This writ petition is filed for the following relief:

“To direct the respondents to consider and dispose of the petitioner’s representation dated 10.05.2025, in accordance with G.O.Ms.No. 170, Industries (M.M.C.2) Department dated 05.08.2020, seeking a comprehensive field inspection using the latest technology including DGPS satellite survey and drone survey of the quarrying operations carried out in Kodangipalayam Village, Palladam Taluk, Tiruppur District, in Survey Nos. 27/1, 10/8, 28/lB, 28/2A, 25/lA, 25/lB , 25/ID, and 10/2A also all active and inactive quarries in Survey Nos. 10, 27 and 28;

and upon finding violations, to initiate necessary remedial actions including suspension or cancellation of illegal quarry operations, recovery of the cost of illegally mined minerals along with 15 times the seigniorage fee and royalty, in accordance with Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, initiation of criminal proceedings in terms of law and the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Common Cause v. Union of India (2017) 9 SCC 499.

2. Today, when the matter is called for admission Mr.Stalin Abhimanyu, learned Additional Government Pleader, produced a letter dated 20.01.2026, wherein it is stated as follows:

“(vii)In view of the above, it was informed to the petitioner Tmt.Kalaiselvi vide this office letter No.3/Mines/2025 dated 11.08.2025 that, in Tiruppur District, Drone survey was conducted in 8 Rough stone quarries in 1^st and 2^nd phases. Further, it was informed that the petitioner request will be considered in the next phase of drone survey. Further, it was informed that, the quarry situated in S.F.No.28/1B & 28/2A was expired on 09.11.2022 and no quarrying activities were noticed at the time of field inspection.

(viii)In the above circumstances, it is informed that, 20 quarries were allotted for drone survey in 3^rd phase vide proceedings of the Regional Joint Director, Geology and Mining, Salem Region in Rc.No.78/2025/RJD-Mines/SLM-2. Out of which 4 quarries are covered in Palladam Taluk and that also includes the quarry lease granted to Tvl.S.G.Blue Metals in SF.Nos.25/1A, 25/2B, 25/1D over an extent o