Madras High Court
P.Rajendran vs The District Collector on 25 June, 2025
Author: S.M.Subramaniam
Bench: S.M.Subramaniam
W.P.(MD).No.3510 of 2019
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 25.06.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM
AND
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE
W.P.(MD).No.3510 of 2019
and
W.M.P.(MD).Nos.2754 and 3173 of 2019
P.Rajendran ... Petitioner
Vs.
1.The District Collector,
Tirunelveli District,
Tirunelveli.
2.The Special Officer,
Pathamadai Special Grade Panchayat,
Pathamadai,
Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to
issue a writ of Mandamus, restraining the 2nd respondent from demanding
deposit money for water pipe connection from the people who have obtained
water pipe connection prior to 2003 as pending deposit charges by giving
retrospective effect to the amendment of bye-laws of Pathamadai Panchayat
dated 19.12.2003.
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W.P.(MD).No.3510 of 2019
For Petitioner : Mr.K.Jeyamohan
for Mr.K.Prabhu
For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The grievance of the writ petitioner is that the second respondent Panchayat issued notice to 1400 residents claiming initial deposit amount for providing water pipe connection.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner states that enhanced caution deposit is demanded, which is not in accordance with law.
3. The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that it is a refundable deposit collected from the persons, who all are availing the water service connection in their buildings.
4. The Rule remains unchallenged. Therefore, the present Public Interest Litigation seeking to restrain the second respondent from demanding deposit money for water pipe connection cannot be entertained. Since caution deposit is Page 2 of 4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/07/2025 06:29:08 pm ) W.P.(MD).No.3510 of 2019 a part of the connection charges as per the Rules or the Board Resolution, the relief cannot be granted.
5. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
(S.M.S.,J.) (A.D.M.C.,J.)
25.06.2025
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
Internet : Yes / No
Lm
To
1.The District Collector,
Tirunelveli District.
2.The Special Officer,
Pathamadai Special Grade Panchayat, Pathamadai, Tirunelveli District.
Page 3 of 4https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/07/2025 06:29:08 pm ) W.P.(MD).No.3510 of 2019 S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J.
and DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE,J.
Lm W.P.(MD).No.3510 of 2019 25.06.2025 Page 4 of 4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/07/2025 06:29:08 pm )