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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 42062

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M.Dhandapani, J
C.Sivakumar – Appellant
Versus
Director, State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority – Respondent
Writ Petition



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: K.Krishnan
For the Respondents: U.Baranidharan

A Writ of Mandamus is issued to compel statutory authorities to consider and dispose of public representations regarding environmental clearance in accordance with law and principles of natural justice.

Headnote:The petitioner filed a writ petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a mandamus directing the environmental authorities to consider a representation regarding a proposed quarry project. The petitioner alleged that environmental clearance was being processed arbitrarily, ignoring local environmental concerns and public objections. The Court, observing the limited scope of the request, refrained from adjudicating on merits and directed the primary authority to dispose of the pending representation within a specified timeframe. The core issue was whether the statutory authorities are obligated to consider public representations regarding environmental clearance before finalizing the approval process. The Court held that the authorities must act in accordance with law and adhere to principles of natural justice by providing a hearing to those affected before passing final orders. The writ petition was disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation on merits within four weeks after providing a personal hearing to the parties.

Table of Content
1. court directs timely administrative disposal of representations following natural justice principles. (Para 6 , 4 , 5)
2. petitioner seeks intervention in pending environmental applications for quarrying. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)

6. Rajeswari ..Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to consider and dispose the petitioner's representation dated 10.04.2026 pursuant to the 2nd respondent communication dated 16.04.2026 with respect of proposed quarry in Survey No.198/1, measuring to an extent of 2.22.85 hectare at Naththalli Village, Dharmapuri District.

For Petitioner: Mr.K.Krishnan For Respondents: Notice dispensed with [R1, R2 & R6]

Mr.U.Baranidharan Special Government Pleader [R3 to R5]

*****

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the 1st respondent to consider and dispose the petitioner's representation, dated 10.04.2026 pursuant to the 2nd respondent communication, dated 16.04.2026 with respect of proposed quarry in Survey No.198/1, measuring to an extent of 2.22.85 hectare at Naththalli Village, Dharmapuri District.

2. Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 3 to 5. Since no adverse orders are passed against the respondents 1, 2 and 6 in this writ petition, notice to the respondents

1, 2 and 6 is dispensed with by this Court.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that, quarry permission was illegally recommended for environmental clearance in favour of the 6th respondent for the proposed quarry situated at the address morefully disclosed in the prayer to this writ petition. In order to safeguard their livelihood and the local environment, the petitioner along with other residents submitted representations to the 3rd respondent on 08.04.2026 and 10.04.2026, which were subsequently forwarded to the respondents 1 and 2 for necessary action. Despite receiving objections by way of above representations, the authorities have not taken any action. Instead, they are proceeding with the approval process in a mechanical and arbitrary manner without considering the objections of the residents.

Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.

4. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that, it would suffice, if this Court issues a direction to the 1st respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation, dated 10.04.2026 pursuant to the communication dated 16.04.2026 in respect of the proposed quarry, on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court.

5. In view of the limited request sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation, dated 10.04.2026, on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner as well as the 6th respondent.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

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