V.SHEELA Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These writ petitions highlight and bring out the illegal extraction of ground water for the purpose of sale in the State. In Writ petition No.17384 of 2019, the petitioner had sought for a Writ of mandamus for a direction to the respondents to take action on the representations made by him complaining about the illegal extraction of ground water.

(2.) On 20.06.2019, this Court after extracting various provisions of the Chennai Metropolitan Area Ground Water (Regulation) Act 1987, observed that when there are penal provisions in the said Act which empowers seizure and confiscation, why the authorities are not taking any action under the said Act. This Court therefore directed the District Collector, Chennai, Tahsildar, Alandur Taluk, and the Inspector of Police, Palavanthangal Police Station, to submit a report in the form of an affidavit as to what action has been taken against the violators. The respondents were also directed to state as to what action has been taken against the vehicles involved in transporting the illegally extracted ground water. The case is adjourned to 24.06.2019. On 24.06.2019, this Court directed the Collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur Districts to furnish the details of water suppliers registered with them and the vehicle numbers used for transportation.

(3.) In the meantime, WP.No.18264 of 2019, where again similar allegations were made regarding illegal extraction of ground water have been made was tagged with WP.No.17384 of 2019.