A.SOUNDARARAJAN Vs. SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Writ Petition, which was specifically posted before this Bench for hearing on the orders of the then Hon'ble Chief Justice dated 19.02.2018, has been filed in the form of Public Interest Litigation, seeking to direct the respondents to prevent the illicit sand mining in Cheyyar River at Vinnamangalam, Randam, Mottur and Gangapuram Villages, Thiruvannamalai District, by deploying Day and Night patrols consequently to take stringent action against the offenders of illicit sand mining.

(2.) Heard the Learned Counsel for the Petitioner, the Learned Government Advocate for the Respondents 3 and 5 to 9, the Learned Standing Counsel for R4 and the Learned Additional Government Pleader (F) for R2 and R10.

(3.) The Respondents 1, 3, 6 and 7 have jointly filed a counter affidavit dated 26.07.2018, wherein it is inter alia stated as under: