V. PERIYAKARUPPAN Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, RAMANATHAPURAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN this Public Interest Litigation, Petitioner seeks Writ of Mandamus forbearing the 6th Respondent from cutting Kattu Karuvelam trees in the area belonging to the Revenue Department in Keelaparuthiyur Periya Kanmai, Paramakudi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

(2.) SURVEY Number 13 of Keelaparuthiyur tank is having an extent of 141.78.0 Hectares as per revenue records, in which an extent of 51.25.0 Hectares (128 acres) belongs to Forest Department. The remaining portion of Kanmai i.e. 227 acres exclusively belong to Revenue Department. The value of the trees was arrived at by the Forest Department and the Forest Department published notification regarding public auction for cutting Kattu Karuvelam trees in forest area in Ramanathapuram District Gazette on 23.09.2009. Forest Department conducted public auction for cutting Kattu Karuvelam trees for their area to an extent of 34.25 Hectares. 6th Respondent � Parvathy is the highest bidder and she had remitted Rs.8,79,540.00 as the value of Kattu Karuvelam trees. 6th Respondent was permitted to cut the trees only in the forest area.

(3.) MR .K.Mahendran, learned Special Government Pleader took notice for Respondents 1 to 5. Respondents 3 and 5 have filed separate counter-affidavit.