WP/36620/2026 of Manikandan @ Ponglur Era. Manikandan Vs The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and on 21 September 2026

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by P.Velmurugan J.) The Writ Petition has been filed to direct the 6th respondent to dispose the appeal filed by the petitioner dated 11.05.2026 within a time frame as may be directed by this Court.

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2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had made an appeal before the 6th respondent on 11.05.2026 based on the directions of this Court. However, they have not received any notice or order so far. Hence, the present petition is filed.

3. When the matter came up before this Court on 16.09.2026, this Court had directed the 6th respondent/District Collector, Erode District to appear before this Court in person on 21.09.2026.

4. Accordingly, today (21.09.2026), Mr.F.S.Kandasamy, District Collector, Erode, appeared before this Court.

5. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the State submitted that on the grievance day, the petitioner had given a representation and the same was forwarded to the Block Development Officer (7th respondent) which was also intimated by the 6th respondent to the petitioner through SMS. Subsequently, the 7th respondent dealt with the representation and also sent a reply which was also uploaded in the portal. He further submitted that the 6th respondent is not the competent authority to deal with the appeal and that the Additional Secretary or the Secretary to the Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department is the competent person. He also submitted that the representation of the petitioner was already dealt with by the respondents 6

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and 7 in the manner known to law. Hence, this writ petition is not maintainable.

6. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

7. Admittedly, the petitioner had sent a representation to the 6th respondent on 11.05.2026. Though the 6th respondent had not directly responded to the same, however, on a delegation of power to the 7th respondent, reply was sent to the petitioner and others those who had given petitions on the grievance day. The respondents also produced the copy of acknowledgment and the response through online portal, in which, the application number and the telephone number of the petitioner is reflected.

8. Considering the above facts and submissions, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to approach the competent authority by filing appeal since the 6th respondent is not the competent authority.

9. The personal appearance of the District Collector, Erode District/6th respondent herein, is dispensed with. (P.V.,J.) (G.K.M.,J.) 21-09-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No KSA-2

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To

1. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Widlife Warden, Department of Forests, Gover of Tamil Nadu, No.1, Jeenis Road, Panagal Building, Saidapet,Chennai- 015.

2. The Chief Conservator of Forest and Field Director, Sathyamanaglaam Tiger Reserve, Roja Nagar, Veerappanchathiram Post, Erode- 638 011.

3. National Board of Wildlife Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paravaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi- 110 003.

4. National Tiger Conservation Authority B-1 Wing, 7th Floor, Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110 003.

5. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Hill Areas Conservation Authority (H.A.C.A), O/o.The Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai- 09.

6. The District Collector Erode District, 1st Floor, Collectorate,

7. The Block Development Officer (BP) Thalavadi Block, Erode District.

8. The Assistant Executive Engineer Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, Thalavadi,

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P.VELMURUGAN, J. AND GK.MUTHUKUMAAR, J. KSA-2 WP No. 36620 of 2026 21-09-2026