A business cannot be obstructed without legitimate and sustainable objections, reinforcing the right to conduct lawful operations.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 26.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR and WP.MP.Crl.No.215 of 2026 M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals, Rep. By its Managing Partner P.S.K.Arun, Son of Kandasamy Office at No.4/60-1, Kottampattim Akkalampatti Police, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District – 637 212. ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Superintendent of Police, Namakkal District, Namakkal – 637 001.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District – 637 211.

3.The Inspector of Police, Velagoundanpatty Police Station, Namakkal District.

4.Senthil Kumar ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing 1 to 3 respondents to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner firm to carry on the lawful quarry operations in S.F.No.,375/2(P) measuring 2.98 hectares situated at Akkalampatti Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District by considering petitioner’s representation dated 13.03.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Guruprasad For R1 to R3 : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor ORDER The petitioner sent a representation dated 13.03.2026 to the respondents 1 to 3 to provide necessary police protection to run the quarry and related operations and also ensure that no unlawful obstruction or interference caused by any third party including the 4^th respondent. The petitioner’s representation was not acted upon. Hence, the present writ petition filed.

2.The petitioner purchased a property in Survey No.375/2 measuring a total extent of 2.98 hectares (7.36 acres) at Akkalampattii Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, by way of Document No.414/2022 dated 16.02.2022. Thereafter, the petitioner took possession, revenue records mutated in the petitioner's name, Patta No.3747 was issued. The petitioner also owns another property comprised in Survey No.321/4 measuring an extent of 2.88 acres situated at the same village, wherein a crusher unit is running from the year 2005 onwards in the name of M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals. The petitioner and his father entered into a joint venture agreement on 01.02.2022 for running the business of M/s.Maharaja Blue Metals and the petitioner is the Managing Partner. The petitioner submitted an application dated 11.04.2022 to the Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Namakkal District seeking grant of quarry lease for extraction of ordinary stone and gravel in the said land. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchengode, after conducting verification, submitted his report vide R.C.No.1113/2022/2 dated 23.11.2022 recommending the grant of quarry lease for extraction of minor minerals. Following the same, the Assistant Director, Department of Geology conducted a detailed technical field inspection on 01.12.2022 and found that the area was suitable for quarrying operations and recommended the grant of quarry lease. Based on the recommendation, the applied area by the petitioner was declared as a precise area and directed the petitioner to submit an approved Mining Plan. The petitioner obtained all mandatory statutory clearances including Environmental Clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Tamil Nadu, dated 26.05.2023. The Pollution Control Board, by letter dated 26.04.2025 had published widely in English and Vernacular Newspapers inviting objections from the public. The Pollution Control Board rejected the consent to operate application of the petitioner on 09.03.2024 citing the existence of residential buildings within 300 meters.

3.Challenging the s