Madras High Court
WP(MD)/12250/2024 of S.Kamaraj @ Muthalakurichi Kamaraj Vs Union of India, Represented by on 13 November 2026
WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 13-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024
CNR:{HCMD010555572024}
S.Kamaraj @ Muthalakurichi Kamaraj
S/o.SankaraSubu,
6/349, PonSivagamiIllam,
Railway Station Road, Seyudunganallur,
Thoothukudi District - 628 809.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. Union of India, represented by,
The Principal Secretary,
Ministry of Culture,
Government of India, 501, C Wing,
Shasstri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 015.
2. Archaeological Survey of India, represented by, The Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 011.
3. The Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Excavation Branch, Bangalore,
5th Floor, F wing, Kendriya Sadam,
17th Main Road, Koramangala,
Bangalore 34.
4. The Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Trichy Circle, Main Guard Gate,
Theppakulam, Trichy - 620 002.
__________
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WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024
5. The Commissioner,
Department of Archaeology,
Tamizh Valarchi Valaagam, Tamizh Saalai, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.
6. The District Collector,
Office of the District Collector,
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 directing the respondents no.1 to 4 to carry out the renovation and restoration activities in On-site Museum located in Adichanallur, Srivaikuntam Taluk, Thoothukudi District which was damaged due to December 2023 floods and consequently to take appropriate action to prevent any future damages from the natural calamities in accordance with law within the time stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.
For Petitioner(s)
:Dr.R.Alagumani
For Respondent(s)
:Mr.M.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy
Deputy Solicitor General of
India(Incharge) for R1 to R4
Mr.S.I.Muthiah, Additional
Government Pleader for R5 & R6
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ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by THE CHIEF JUSTICE) This writ petition, styled as a ‘public interest litigation’, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeks issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing respondent Nos.1 to 4 to carry out the renovation __________
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WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024 and restoration activities in On-site Museum located in Adichanallur, Srivaikuntam Taluk, Thoothukudi District, which got damaged due to floods that occurred during December 2023 and to take appropriate action to prevent any future damages to the site within a stipulated time.
2. The matter was listed yesterday(12.11.2026). Learned counsel appearing for the Archaeological Survey of India sought time to get instructions.
3. Today, he has filed a status report, in which it is stated that there was torrential rain in several districts in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, particularly, in the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi, from 17th December 2023 to 19th December 2023, due to which, the iconic site at Adichanallur was also affected and now it has been restored. So far as Location-C is concerned, they have put up sheds over the open site excavated places and the area is being restored now scientifically and further work is in progress which may take some time.
4. In view of the status report filed and the submissions made, no further adjudication is required in this public interest litigation. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands closed. However, the petitioner __________
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WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024 would be at liberty to seek revival of the writ petition in case the work in respect of Location-C is not completed within a reasonable time. There shall be no order as to costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, C.J.) (P.VELMURUGAN J.) 13-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No bala To
1. The Principal Secretary, Union of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 501, C Wing, Shasstri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 015.
2. The Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 011.
3. The Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Excavation Branch, Bangalore, 5th Floor, F wing, Kendriya Sadam, 17th Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore 34.
4. The Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Trichy Circle, Main Guard Gate, Theppakulam, Trichy - 620 002.
5. The Commissioner, __________
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WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024 Department of Archaeology, Tamizh Valarchi Valaagam, Tamizh Saalai, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.
6. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thoothukudi District. __________
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WP(MD) No. 12250 of 2024 SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, C.J. AND P.VELMURUGAN, J. bala WP(MD)No.12250 of 2024 13-11-2026 __________
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