D. RAMALINGAM Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the first respondend dated 01/02/2018 by which the petitioner's request to remove the Hanuman statue, which is allegedly placed in the water body namely Northampoondi lake in Thiruvannamalai District is rejected.

(2.) Heard Mrs.AL.Ganthimathi, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.R. Udhayakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

(3.) The petitioner contends that he is the absolute owner of the lands comprised in Survey Nos.60/4, 65/3, 68/8, 68/10 and 68/11 situated at Northampoondi Village. According to the petitioner, several encroachments are made in the water body namely, Northampoondi Lake in Survey No.24 and the encroachments made inside the lake had blocked the water intake channels to the lake and due to such illegal occupation, the entire agricultural operations were affected. In this regard, the petitioner gave representations to the Chief Minister's Cell as well as to the 1st respondent on 16/02/2014 and again, made a complaint to the 1st respondent on 21/02/2014. As no action was forthcoming the petitioner filed a writ petition in W.P. No. 7151 of 2014 and this Court, by order dated 08.07.2014, disposed of the said writ petition recording the statement made by the District Collector, Thiruvannamalai that the lake bund would be restored to its original position, after following due process of law, within two months' time. Subsequent thereto, according to the petitioner, the 1st respondent had taken steps and had also restored the lake bund to its original position and the water sources area had also been protected.