The occurrence of large-scale illegal mining indicates a failure of the designated monitoring bodies, such as the Taluk Level Task Force, necessitating penal action not only against the offenders but also against the negligent officials responsible for oversight.

Prayer

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to take appropriate steps for preventing illegal quarry in Karuppan Kulam in S.F.No.364, Mangai Kulam in S.F.No.655, Mathukuli Kulam in S.F.No.264/2, Pathar Kulam in S.F.No.770, Water Channel in S.F.No.366/2 and the Patta Lands in S.F.Nos.367/1C, 367/2B, 367/2C, 273/1B, 255/3, 255/4, 365/2 and 367/5 of Vennavalkudi Revenue Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 3 to initiate appropriate penal action as against the respondents 12 to 17 and also to take appropriate action against the erring officials who involved in illegal quarry, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.11.2025 within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Thiruvengadam Rajaiah,

Party-in-peron.

For Respondents : Mr.Ajmalkhan,

Addl. Advocate Genera,

Assisted by Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar,

Spl. Govt. Pleader for R1, R2, R4 to R8, R10 & R11.

Mr.K.Gnana Sekaran,

Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) for R3 & R9.

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2.The petitioner herein has filed this writ petition in person. According to him, illicit sand mining has taken place in the petition mentioned water body as well as patta lands. We directed the District Collector, Pudukkottai to file status report. She has filed status report confirming the allegations made by the writ petitioner. Paragraph Nos.7 to 10 of the status report read as follows:-

“7) It is further submitted that based on the complaint petition sent by the petitioner Thiru.Thiruvengadam Rajaiah, S/o.Nagendran dated 02.11.2025, regarding the illegal quarrying in Vennavalkudi Village, the Convenor, Taluk Level Task Force Committee, Alangudi was requested to inspect the subject area in S.F.Nos.366, 367/1C, 367/B, 367/2C and 264 (Madhukuli Kulam) and 364 (Karuppan Kulam) of Vennavalkudi Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District and submit action taken report vide letter dated 19.12.2025 in R.C.No.601/2025/G&M.

8) It is submitted that as directed the Tahsildar, Alangudi vide letter dated 13.02.2026 has reported that the subject area was inspected on 11.02.2026 along with the Firka Revenue Inspector, Village Administrative Officer and Firka Surveyor and found that illegal quarrying of 18434 cubic meters of Ordinary Earth cumulatively quarried in Government Poromboke lands in S.F.Nos. 364, 655, 264/2, 770 and 366/2 in Vennavalkudi Village, Alangudi Taluk. The details are tabulated below,

9) It is further submitted that based on the Tahsildar, Alangudi report dated 14.02.2026, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Pudukkottai vide letter R.C.No.601/2025/G&M, dated 16.02.2026, has been requested to initiate appropriate action as per act and rules in force against the offenders indulged in illegal quarrying of 18434 cubic meters of Ordinary Earth cumulatively in Government Poromboke land in S.F.Nos 364 (Karuppan Kulam), 655 (Mangai Kulam), 264/2(Madhukul? Kulam), 770 (Pathar Kulam) and 366/2 (Vari) in Vennavalkudi Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District

Further, the Writ Petitioner has alleged that illegal quarrying had been carried out in S.F. No.273/1B, 255/3, 255/4, 365/2 and 367/5 of Vennavalk