Madras High Court
8 Kirama Makkal Arakkattalai vs The Principal Secretary on 13 March, 2026
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1456 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
Dated : 13.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI
W.P.Crl(MD)No.1456 of 2026
18 Kirama Makkal Arakkattalai,
(Regd.No.R/4/2/2020),
Rep.by K.Anand. ... Petitioner
Vs.
1.The Principal Secretary,
Home Department,
Secretariat, St.George Fort,
Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Secretary,
Mines and Minerals Department,
Secretariat, St.George Fort,
Chennai - 600 009.
3.The Principal Secretary,
Urban and Rural Department,
Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.
4.The District Collector,
Collectorate, Tenkasi - 627 811.
5.The Revenue Divisional Officer,
Sankarankovil,
Tenkasi - 627 756.
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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1456 of 2026
6.The Superintendent of Police,
Tenkasi Police District,
Tenkasi - 627 811.
7.Deputy Director,
Geology and Mines,
Tenkasi District, Tenkasi - 627 811.
8.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Puliangudi,
Tenkasi - 627 855.
9.The Inspector of Police,
Sernthamangalam Police Station,
Sernthamangalam, Tenkasi - 627 857. ... Respondents
PRAYER :-Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 6,8 and 9
to consider the representation dated 26.02.2026 and grand permission for
one day identity hunger strike against illegal transport and unsafe
situation created by the quarry lorries of mines and minerals on
15.03.2026.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.S.Bhuvaneswaran
For R1-R5,R7 : Mr.C.Satheesh
Government Advocate(Civil Side)
For R6,R8,R9 : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar
Government Advocate(Crl.Side)
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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1456 of 2026
ORDER
This writ petition is filed seeking to direct the respondents 6, 8 and 9 to consider the representation dated 26.02.2026 and grand permission for one day identity hunger strike against illegal transport and unsafe situation created by the quarry lorries of mines and minerals.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a villager in Melakalangal village near Kalangal Periakulam situated in Alankulam Union, which village is badly affected by the illegal mining and transportation of illegally mined products in huge trucks. In this regard, he had given a representation on 26.02.2026 to the respondent for conducting a hunger strike. The same is not considered.
Hence, this petition.
3. The learned Government Advocate submitted that the respondent police had required them to give necessary details as to the number of persons who are proposing to conduct the hunger strike, but they did not turn up. Hence, they are not able to pass appropriate orders.
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4. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.
5. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the respondent to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation made by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking the extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
6. In view of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate, the petitioner is directed to forthwith appear before the 9th respondent police and give necessary details as to the as to the number of persons who are proposing to participate in the hunger strike and the destination to be proposed and all the other details of the said strike. On furnishing the same, the 9th respondent is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 16.02.2026 and pass orders, on 4/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 18/03/2026 04:10:55 pm ) W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1456 of 2026 merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
7. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of.
No costs.
13.03.2026
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
Internet : Yes/ No
Note : Issue order copy on 18.03.2026.
gbg
To
1.The Principal Secretary,
Home Department,
Secretariat, St.George Fort,
Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Secretary,
Mines and Minerals Department,
Secretariat, St.George Fort,
Chennai - 600 009.
3.The Principal Secretary,
Urban and Rural Department,
Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.
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4.The District Collector, Collectorate, Tenkasi - 627 811.
5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi - 627 756.
6.The Superintendent of Police, Tenkasi Police District, Tenkasi - 627 811.
7.Deputy Director, Geology and Mines, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi - 627 811.
8.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Puliangudi, Tenkasi - 627 855.
9.The Inspector of Police, Sernthamangalam Police Station, Sernthamangalam, Tenkasi - 627 857.
10.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
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