[Cites 1, Cited by 0]
Madras High Court
A.M.Sundaravel vs The Principal Secretary on 18 February, 2026
Author: G.Jayachandran
Bench: G.Jayachandran
WP(MD)No.35994 of 2025
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 18.02.2026
CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN
and
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN
WP(MD)No.35994 of 2025
1. A.M.Sundaravel
S/o.Muthukaruppan
3/16 Mela Street
Munnirpallam
Tirunelveli - 627 356.
Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Principal Secretary
Rural Development Department
Tamil Nadu Government
Chennai - 600 009.
2. The District Collector
District Collectorate Building
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli - 627 009.
3. The Assistant Director (Panchayat)
District Collectorate Building
Palayamkottai - 627 002
Tirunelveli District.
4. The Deputy Block Development Officer (Panchayat)
Palayamkottai - 627 002
Tirunelveli District.
Page No.1 of 5
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WP(MD)No.35994 of 2025
5. The President
Muneerpallam Panchayat
Tirunelveli - 627 356. ... Respondents
PRAYER :-Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,
praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2 nd respondent to
take necessary action to direct the Respondents 4 and 5 to properly clean and
maintain the 24 over head water tanks situated at Palayamkottai Block,
Tirunelveli District and to properly fix the time of supply of drinking water
through the water tap connection to the residential houses situated at
Muneerpallam Panchayat, Tirunelveli District by considering the petitioner's
representation dated 16.07.2025 within a stipulated period as framed by this
Court.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.A.M.Sundaravel (Party-in-person)
For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by Dr.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.)
Expressing concern over the negligence of the local body in maintaining
the overhead tank meant for drinking water of the village, the present Public
Interest Litigation is filed seeking direction to the District Collector, Tirunelveli
to oversee the periodical cleaning of the overhead tank.
2. The learned Government Pleader today furnished a status report of the
Deputy Block Development Officer (Panchayats) wherein, it is stated that the
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overhead tank situated at Munneerpallam Panchayat was inspected pursuant to
the representation given by the petitioner and necessary action was taken for
maintenance and cleaning of the overhead tank periodically. Display boards
were installed containing the date of cleaning and the next date of cleaning. It
is also stated in the report that routine inspection is carried out to check leaks in
the pipeline, cracks and damages in the structure and an undertaking is given by
the 4th respondent that he will continuously monitor cleanliness and regular
maintenance of the overhead tank situated within his jurisdiction without
giving any room for complaint.
3. Recording the status report filed by the 4th respondent, the writ petition
stands closed. No costs.
(G.J, J.) (K.K.R.K, J.)
Index : Yes / No 18.02.2026
Neutral Citation : Yes / No
RR
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To
1. The Principal Secretary
Rural Development Department
Tamil Nadu Government
Chennai - 600 009.
2. The District Collector
District Collectorate Building
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli - 627 009.
3. The Assistant Director (Panchayat)
District Collectorate Building
Palayamkottai - 627 002
Tirunelveli District.
4. The Deputy Block Development Officer (Panchayat)
Palayamkottai - 627 002
Tirunelveli District.
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DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J
and
K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J.
RR
Order made in
DATED : 18.02.2026
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