Madras High Court
WP(MD)/26820/2023 of Muniyandi Vs State of Tamil Nadu on 12 November 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 12-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
WP(MD) No. 26820 of 2023
CNR:{HCMD011251092023}
and
WMP(MD)Nos.23050, 23051 and 23053 of 2023
Muniyandi
S/o.Madasamy,
Urakundankeni,
Megamalai, Kadamanlaikundu,
Theni - 625 579.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. State of Tamil Nadu,
Rep. by the Chief Secretary,
Secretariat, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Forest and Environment, Secretariat, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Forest and Environment, Secretariat, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
4. The Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
5. National Tiger Conservation Authority,
Government of India,
Represented by its Member Secretary,
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
New Delhi.
6. The District Collector,
Theni District Collectorate,
Madurai - Theni High Way Road,
Thei - 625 531.
7. The Forest Settlement Officer / The Tahsildar, Usilampatti, Madurai District.
8. The Deputy Director,
Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve,
Theni - 625 531.
9. The District Forest Officer,
Theni Division, KRR Nagar,
Housing Board Colony,
Theni - 625 531.
10.The Forest Ranger,
Megamalai Forest Block,
Kalamalaigundu, Andipatti Taluk,
Theni District.
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records of Government Orders in G.O(Ms).No.118, Department of Environment and Forest, dated 09.09.2009 issued by the 2nd respondent and G.O.(Ms).No.14, Environment and Forests (FR.5) Department, dated 08.02.2021 issued by the 3rd respondent and quash the same in so far as the Megamalai Forest Area, Antipatti Taluk, Theni District.
For Petitioner(s)
:Mr.P.Suresh Babu
For Respondent(s)
:Mr.J.Bharathan, Additional
Advocate General-V assisted by
Mr.M.P.Senthil, Govt. Pleader for R1
to R3 and R6 to R10
Mr.G.Rajaraman, Central Govt.
Standing Counsel for R4 and R5
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ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by THE CHIEF JUSTICE) In this writ petition, the petitioner has challenged G.O(Ms)No.118, Department of Environment and Forest, dated 09.09.2009 issued by Respondent No.2 as well as G.O.(Ms).No.14, Environment and Forests (FR.5) Department, dated 08.02.2021 issued by Respondent No.3.
2. Learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the State pointed out that the very same Government Orders were put to challenge in W.P(MD)Nos.5945, 6874, 6615 and 6597 of 2010 as well as W.P(MD)No.7682 of 2021. Vide order dated 29.10.2018, the challenge to G.O(Ms)No.118, dated 09.09.2009 was dismissed on merits. Similarly, the challenge to G.O(Ms)No.14, dated 08.02.2021 was considered in W.P(MD)No.7682 of 2021 by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court and vide order dated 17.04.2021, the writ petition was dismissed by a well reasoned order.
3. On a perusal of the earlier orders, we find no reason to take a different view to entertain the writ petition. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, C.J.) (P.VELMURUGAN J.) 12-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No bala To
1. The Chief Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Forest and Environment, Secretariat, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Forest and Environment, Secretariat, Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
4. The Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
5. The Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.
6. The District Collector, Theni District Collectorate, Madurai - Theni High Way Road, Thei - 625 531.
7. The Forest Settlement Officer / The Tahsildar, Usilampatti, Madurai District.
8. The Deputy Director, Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve, Theni - 625 531.
9. The District Forest Officer, Theni Division, KRR Nagar, Housing Board Colony, Theni - 625 531.
10. The Forest Ranger, Megamalai Forest Block, Kalamalaigundu, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.
SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, C.J. AND P.VELMURUGAN, J. bala WP(MD)No.26820 of 2023 12-11-2026