Madras High Court
WP(MD)/31215/2026 of Pon Gandhimathinathan SMA Vs The State of Tamil Nadu represented by the Chief Secretary on 3 November 2026
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 03-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
AND
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011551262026}
and W.M.P.(MD)No.23985 of 2026
Pon Gandhimathinathan SMA
No. 1/151,
Arumugam Nagar,
Pudukottai Taluk,
Thoothukudi District
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by the Chief Secretary
Secretariat,
St George Fort,
Chennai-09
2. The Additional Commissioner
Department of Revenue and Disaster
Management,
Chepauk,
Chennai
3. The Managing Director
Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, No.31, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005
4. The District Collector
Thoothukudi,
Thoothukudi District
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026
5. The Assistant Director of Mines and Minerals Department of Geology and Mining, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District
6. The Tahsildhar
Sathankulam Taluk,
Thoothukudi District
7. The Block Development Officer
Sathankulam Taluk,
Thoothukudi District
8. The Assistant Engineer
Department of Highways,
Thoothukudi District
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of MANDAMUS, to issue a direction directing the Respondents to take necessary steps to identify and secure all abandoned open wells, unused bore wells and quarry pits situated along public roads throughout Thoothukudi District by providing adequate permanent protective measures, in order to prevent fatal accidents and protect public safety by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 06.05.2025 within time stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner
:Mr.P.R.Priya Dharshini
For Respondents
: Mr.S.I.Muthiah,
Addl. Govt. Pleader for R1 to R6
Mr.K.R.Shiva Shankari,
Addl. Govt. Pleader for R7
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026
Citations and Judicial Treatment
Cited by
0
Decisions in the index citing it
Cites
0
Decisions referred to
In this index
0
Of the decisions it cites
Overruled / Questioned
0
No negative treatment found
Loading the citing and cited decisions…
This judgment in the centre: on the left the decisions it cites, on the right the decisions citing it. Colour is the treatment; choose a decision to open it.
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by P. VELMURUGAN J.) This Writ Petition has been filed as a Public Interest Litigation seeking a direction to the respondents to identify and secure all abandoned open wells, unused bore wells and quarry pits situated along public roads throughout Thoothukudi District by providing adequate permanent protective measures, in order to prevent fatal accidents and protect public safety, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 06.05.2025.
2. Mr. S.I. Muthiah, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for respondents 1 to 6 and Ms. K.P. Shiva Shankari, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for the seventh respondent. By consent, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that several abandoned open wells, unused bore wells and quarry pits are lying uncovered and unprotected along public roads in
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026 Thoothukudi District, posing a serious threat to public safety. He would further submit that, despite the directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the Government of Tamil Nadu, no effective steps have been taken to secure such hazardous locations. He therefore seeks appropriate directions to the respondents to identify and provide permanent protective measures for all such locations.
4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 6 would submit that the petitioner's representation would be considered.
5. Considering the nature of the grievance raised and the need to ensure public safety, this Court directs the respondents to identify and close all abandoned open wells, unused bore wells and quarry pits situated along public roads throughout Thoothukudi District by providing adequate permanent protective measures, within a period of six weeks from today.
6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026
7. Post the matter on 15.12.2026 for reporting compliance. (P.V.,J.) (K.K.R.K.,J.) 03-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VSM To
1. The Chief Secretary Secretariat, St George Fort Chennai-09
2. The Additional Commissioner Department of Revenue and Disaster Management Chepauk, Chennai
3. The Managing Director Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board No.31, Kamarajar Salai Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005
4. The District Collector Thoothukudi Thoothukudi District
5. The Assistant Director of Mines and Minerals Department of Geology and Mining Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District
6. The Tahsildhar Sathankulam Taluk Thoothukudi District
WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026 P.VELMURUGAN, J. AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J. VSM
7. The Block Development Officer Sathankulam Taluk Thoothukudi District
8. The Assistant Engineer Department of Highways Thoothukudi District WP(MD) No. 31215 of 2026 03-11-2026