Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 8526 Mad
Judgement Date : 12 November, 2025
WP No. 43656 of 2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 12-11-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI
WP No. 43656 of 2025
& WMP NO. 48760 & 48762 OF 2025
V.Ganesan
Member, FMR 26,
Gengavalli Inland Fishermen Co Operative Society
No 14/84, Kadmbur Road, Meenavar Street,
Gengavalli, Gengavlli Taluk,
Salem District 636 105.
Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Government Of Tamilnadu
Rep. By Its Secretary,
Government Of Tamil Nadu,
Water Resources Department,
Fort St George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Commissioner of Fisheries,
Nandanam,
Chennai 600 035.
3.The District Collector,
Salem District.
4.The Executive Engineer
Public Works Department (WRD)
Sarabanga Vadinila Kottam, Salem.
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WP No. 43656 of 2025
5.The Assistant Engineer
Water Development Department
Irrigation Division,
Thammampatti, Salem District
6.The Assistant Director of Fisheries
Mettur Dam, Salme District.
Respondent(s)
PRAYER; This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India,
to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, Calling for the production of
records of relating to the order dated 04.11.2025 made in Ka. No. Ko 15A /
U.Po (tha) / 2025 passed by the 5th respondent herein, quash the same and
direct the respondents to grant lease of fishing rights in respect of
Valasakkalpatti Lake, to FMR - 26 Gengavalli Inland Fishermen Co. Operative
Society, Gengavalli Taluk, Salem, District, for a period of 5 in compliance with
the order dated 21.06.2023 made in W.p. No 6819 of 2023 and batch cases, and
confirmed in W.A. no 152 of 2024 by order dated 18.01.2024.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Shanmugasundaram
For Respondent: Mrs.S.Anitha, SGP
ORDER
This petition has been filed seeking to quash the order dated 04.11.2025
made in Ka. No. Ko 15A / U.Po (tha) / 2025 passed by the 5th respondent
herein and direct the respondents to grant lease of fishing rights in respect of
Valasakkalpatti Lake, to FMR - 26 Gengavalli Inland Fishermen Co. Operative
Society, Gengavalli Taluk, Salem, District, for a period of 5 in compliance with
the order dated 21.06.2023 made in W.p. No 6819 of 2023 and batch cases, and
confirmed in W.A. no 152 of 2024 by order dated 18.01.2024.
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2. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner society is registered
under Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act. The Government of Tamilnadu,
Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department issued a government order in
GO.Ms.No.332 dated 17.11.1993 directing the authorities to give first priority in
fishing rights to fishermen society and auctioning of fishing rights should be
restored to only if no cooperative society of fishermen is not wiiling to take up
the lease. The above GO has been followed till date. This Court dated
21.06.2023 made in WP.No.6819 of 2023 etc., batch cases directed the
respondents to give lease of fishing rights to the petitioner society. The same has
been confirmed by the Division Bench also. Without considering the same, the
5th respondent passed the impugned notification dated 04.11.2025 bringing
public auction of the lease of fishing rights. Challenging the said notification,
the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the impugned
notification has been published contrary to the order passed by this Court in
WP.No.6819/2023 etc., Batch wherein this Court has clearly held that the
cooperative societies composed of fishermen or of Harijans engaged in fishing
should first be given an opportunity of taking the fishery on lease for a
reasonable rental fixed by the Collector of the District or the authority
concerned. Contrary to the said order, the 5th respondent has issued notification
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for conducting public auction, which is not sustainable. Hence, this Court may
quash the said notification and direct the respondents to grant lease of fishing
rights in respect of Valasakkalpatti Lake, to FMR - 26 Gengavalli Inland
Fishermen Co. Operative Society, Gengavalli Taluk, Salem, District, for a
period of 5 years in compliance with the order dated 21.06.2023 made in W.p.
No 6819 of 2023 and batch cases, and confirmed in W.A. no 152 of 2024 by
order dated 18.01.2024.
4. In response, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the
respondents fairly submitted that it is only a public auction notification. If the
petitioner is willing to participate in the said auction, the respondents will comply
the order passed by this Court dated 21.06.2023 made in W.p. No 6819 of 2023
and batch cases.
5. Heard the learned counsel for both side and perused the materials
available on record.
6. In view of the fair submission made by the learned Special Government th Pleader, Court this court directs the 5 respondent to consider the petitioners
application and pass appropriate orders strictly in terms of the order dated
21.06.2023 made in W.P. No 6819 of 2023 and batch cases, which was confirmed
the judgment in WA. No.152/2024 dated 18.01.2024 by the Hon'ble Division
Bench of this Court.
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7. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of.
Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs.
12-11-2025 rli Note: Issue order copy on 13.11.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Neutral Citation:Yes/No To
1. The Secretary, Government Of Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Department, Fort St George, Chennai 600 009
2.The Commissioner of Fisheries Nandanam, Chennai 600 035
3.The District Collector, Salem District.
4.The Executive Engineer Public Works Department (WRD) Sarabanga Vadinila Kottam, Salem.
5.The Assistant Engineer Water Development Department Irrigation Division, Thammampatti Salem District
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M.DHANDAPANI J.
rli
6.The Assistant Director Of Fisheries Mettur Dam, Salem District
12.11.2025
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12-11-2025
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 13/11/2025 04:41:05 pm )
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