Madras High Court
Alphonse Rani vs The District Collector on 21 January, 2026
W.P.(MD)No.20730 of 2024
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED :21.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER
W.P.(MD)No.20730 of 2024
Alphonse Rani ... Petitioner(s)
Vs.
1. The District Collector,
Tirunelveli District,
Tirunelveli.
2. The Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition),
Rivers Inter Linking Project Division-5,
Nanguneri,
Tirunelveli District.
3. The Inspector of Police,
Vijayanarayanam Police Station,
Tirunelveli District.
4. The Assistant Executive Engineer,
WRD, Project Sub Division-II,
Tirunelveli-2.
(R4 is suo motu impleaded vide Court Order
dated 26.09.2024 in WP(MD) No.20730/2024 by PTAJ)
... Respondent(s)
PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1
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W.P.(MD)No.20730 of 2024
and 2 to consider the petitioners representation dated 15.7.2024 and to
direct the respondents 1 and 2 to construct a bridge across the channel
created in the land in Survey No. 505/6A2, 505/6A6, 509/1 situated at
Vijayanarayanam Part - II Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli
District under the River Interlinking Scheme of Thamirabarani,
Karumeniaru, Nambiyaru so as to enable the petitioner to reach the rest
of the properties in Survey No. 509/1, 510/8, 505/6A1, 505/6A2,
505/2A2, 505/2A3, 505/2A4, 505/2B1, 505/2A1.
For Petitioner : M/s. V.Sasi Kumar
For Respondents :Mr.D.Sadiq Raja
Addl. Government Pleader for R1, R2 & R4
Mr.S.Prakash
Government Advocate (Crl. side) for R3
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a writ of mandamus, directing respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 15.07.2024 and thereafter, to direct the construction of a bridge across the channel created in the lands in Survey Nos. 505/6A2, 505/6A6, and 509/1, situated at Vijayanarayanam Part-II Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District, under the River Interlinking Scheme of Thamirabarani, Karumeniaru, and Nambiyaru, so as to enable the petitioner to access the remaining properties in Survey Nos. 509/1, 510/8, 505/6A1, 505/6A2, 505/2A2, 505/2A3, 505/2A4, 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 22/01/2026 06:02:59 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.20730 of 2024 505/2B1, and 505/2A1.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record.
3. The petitioner purchased the petition-mentioned properties vide Document No.4172 of 2012 on the file of the Sub-Registrar, Thisayanvilai, on 03.10.2012. The petitioner was summoned to appear before the second respondent on 24.08.2022 for an inquiry in respect of acquisition proceedings. The grievance of the petitioner is that unless a bridge is constructed across the proposed channel, he could not bring the agricultural products to the road from the other side of his land. In this regard, the petitioner has also submitted a representation dated 15.07.2024 requesting to construct a bridge across the proposed channel. As no action has been taken till date, the present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner.
4. Per contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1, 2 and 4, relying on a written communication of the second respondent dated 12.09.2024, submitted that since two bridges already exist, the petitioner can access the property using the 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 22/01/2026 06:02:59 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.20730 of 2024 existing bridges and therefore, no inconvenience has been caused to the petitioner.
5. At this stage, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice if the petitioner’s representation dated 15.07.2024 is considered by the respondents and appropriate orders are passed thereon within a stipulated time frame.
6.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and in view of the pendency of the petitioner’s representation, respondents 1 and 2 are directed to consider and dispose of the petitioner’s representation dated 15.07.2024 by passing a reasoned order on merits and in accordance with law, explicitly stating all the reasons canvassed before this Court, expeditiously.
7. With the above directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
(K.SURENDER, J)
21.01.2026
NCC :Yes/No
Internet :Yes/No
Index :Yes/No
PKN
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W.P.(MD)No.20730 of 2024
To
1. The District Collector,
Tirunelveli District,
Tirunelveli.
2. The Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition), Rivers Inter Linking Project Division-5, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli District.
3. The Inspector of Police, Vijayanarayanam Police Station, Tirunelveli District.
4. The Assistant Executive Engineer, WRD, Project Sub Division-II, Tirunelveli-2.
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