Madras High Court
Ramanathapuram District Consumer ... vs The District Collector on 11 March, 2026
Author: N.Sathish Kumar
Bench: N.Sathish Kumar
W.P(MD)No.2037 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 11.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR
and
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN
W.P(MD)No.2037 of 2026
Ramanathapuram District Consumer Right Protection Association,
Registration No.34/2014,
Rep by its Secretary, J.John Amalraj,
Santhiya Nagar, Ariyankundu Post,
Thangachi Madam,
Rameswaram Taluk.
Ramanathapuram District. ... Petitioner
vs.
1.The District Collector,
Ramanathapuram District,
Ramanathapuram.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats),
Ramanathapuram District,
Ramanathapuram.
3.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat),
Mandapam Panchayat Union Office,
Ramanathapuram District.
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W.P(MD)No.2037 of 2026
4.The Thasildhar,
Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District.
5.The Special Officer,
Thangachimadam Panchayat,
Rameswaram,
Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to
shift the Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Bus Passengers Shelter situated at
Thangachi Madam to an alternate place in terms of the resolution No.895
passed by the fifth respondent by considering the petitioner's representation
dated 12.12.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance
with law within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jerin Mathew
For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the respondents to shift the Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam Memorial Bus Passenger Shelter situated at Thangachimadam to an alternate place, in terms 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 17/03/2026 04:25:25 pm ) W.P(MD)No.2037 of 2026 of Resolution No.895 passed by the fifth respondent, by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 12.12.2025.
2.The grievance of the petitioner is that the memorial of Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam is situated at Thangachimadam, Rameswaram, in Ramanathapuram District, which falls within the jurisdiction of the fifth respondent Panchayat and is visited by tourists from all over the country.
Hence, the District Administration had created a permanent bus stand near the Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam Memorial. However, the bus stand has been established at a distance of about 7 meters from the said memorial, which creates heavy traffic congestion and also leads to law and order issues due to buses being parked in the middle of the road. In this regard, the fifth respondent Panchayat has passed a resolution dated 15.08.2025 to shift the bus shelter to a nearby alternate place in order to avoid traffic congestion.
The petitioner submitted a representation dated 12.12.2025 before the concerned authorities. Since the same has not been considered so far, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition.
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3.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
4.On perusal of the materials available on record, it is seen that the fifth respondent has already passed a resolution dated 15.08.2025.
Therefore, the first respondent Collector, being the Inspector of Panchayats for the fifth respondent, shall take a decision in this regard in accordance with law, taking note of various relevant aspects, including the availability of any suitable nearby place for shifting the bus stand. It is made clear that this Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter. It is for the first respondent to take an appropriate decision, taking into consideration the ground realities, and pass suitable orders on merits and in accordance with law. Such a decision shall be taken by the authority concerned within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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5.With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.
There shall be no order as to costs.
[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.]
11.03.2026
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
Internet : Yes
ps
To
1.The District Collector,
Ramanathapuram District,
Ramanathapuram.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.
3.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Mandapam Panchayat Union Office, Ramanathapuram District.
4.The Thasildhar, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District.
5.The Special Officer, Thangachimadam Panchayat, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District.
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and M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.
ps ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.2037 of 2026 DATED : 11.03.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 17/03/2026 04:25:25 pm )