The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Ramanathapuram Collector to take steps to stop illegal quarrying operations in the district, take action against those involved and file an action taken report.
A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Collector to file the action taken report in eight weeks. The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by R. Prabakar of Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district.
The petitioner had sought a direction to the authorities to identify, inspect, close down and seal all illegal sand quarries, murram/soil quarries and other unauthorised minor mineral quarrying operations, functioning in and around the Vaigai riverbed and other waterbodies in Ramanathapuram district and seize all vehicles, machinery and equipment used for such illegal quarrying activities.
He sought a direction to the authorities to conduct a comprehensive district-wide inspection of all quarrying operations in Ramanathapuram district.
He also sought a direction to the Director General of Police to initiate appropriate departmental proceedings against the Inspector of Police, Paramakudi Taluk Police Station, Rajkumar, for dereliction of duty. He said the Inspector had colluded with quarry operators and allowed illegal quarrying. In a counter affidavit, the Inspector denied the allegations levelled against him.
The court taking into account the report filed by the State government that said illegal quarrying operations were taking place for the past five years and no action taken by the Inspector, directed the Inspector General of Police, South Zone, to take action against the Inspector and file an action taken report.
The report said the officials had seized vehicles which were involved in illegal quarrying. The court directed the Ramanathapuram Collector to take action and file a report. The court directed the matter to be listed after eight weeks under the caption ‘for reporting compliance’.
Published – October 10, 2026 08:53 pm IST
