S.Senthilkumar, vs The Director of Art and Culture,

Court
Madras High Court

WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 02-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
AND
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN
WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011494552026}
S.Senthilkumar
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Director of Art and Culture,
Tamil Valarchi Valagam,
Egmore, Chennai - 600008.
2. The Principal,
Government College of Arts and Crafts,
Kottayur Village, Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur District.
3. The Commissioner (Land Administration),
Land Administration Department,
2nd Floor, Ezhilagam, Chepauk,
Chennai - 600005.
4. The District Collector,
Thanjavur District,
Thanjavur.
5. The Sub Collector,
Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur District.
6. The Superintending Engineer,
TANGEDCO, Thanjavur District.
7. The Executive Engineer,
TANGEDCO, Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur District.
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the
respondent Nos.1 to 5 from handing over the lands in S.F.Nos.180/1, 204,
205, 210, 211 and 212 of Baburajapuram Village, Block-3, Ward-7,
nd
Kumbakonam Town, Thanjavur District, which belongs to the 2
th th
respondent College, to the 6 and 7 respondents Department, by
considering the representation of the Kumbakonam Government College
of Fine Arts Alumni Association dated 12.01.2026.
For Petitioner(s) :Mr.A.N.Ramanathan
For Respondent(s) :Mr.A.Mohan, Govt. Advocate
for R1 To R5
Ms.M.Rajeswari for R6 & R7
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by P. VELMURUGAN J.)
The prayer in this writ petition is for issuance of a Writ of
Mandamus, forbearing the respondents 1 to 5 from handing over the
lands comprised in S.F.Nos.180/1, 204, 205, 210, 211 and 212 of
Baburajapuram Village, Block No.3, Ward No.7, Kumbakonam Town,
Thanjavur District, belonging to the second respondent College, to the
sixth and seventh respondents for establishment of an electricity
substation, by considering the representation submitted by the
Kumbakonam Government College of Fine Arts Alumni Association,
dated 12.01.2026.
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit
that the second respondent College, namely, the Government College of
Arts and Crafts, is an educational institution wherein about 150 students
are pursuing their studies. While so, the official respondents are taking
steps to establish an electricity substation within the compound wall of
the College premises. According to the learned counsel, the establishment
of such an electricity substation within the College premises would pose a
serious threat to the safety and security of the students. It is further
contended that the proposed utilisation of the College land for the said
purpose would also adversely affect the future expansion and
development of the educational institution. Therefore, the learned counsel
would submit that the official respondents should be restrained from
proceeding with the establishment of the proposed electricity substation
in the College premises.
3. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the
official respondents would submit that the second respondent College is
situated in an extent of approximately 12 acres, out of which only 90
cents, which is less than one acre, is required for establishing the
proposed electricity substation. Even after earmarking the said extent of
90 cents for the establishment of the electricity substation, the College
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
would still be left with approximately 11 acres of land, which would be
more than sufficient for its future expansion and developmental activities.
4. The learned Government Advocate would further submit that the
official respondents have explored the possibility of identifying
alternative locations for establishing the proposed electricity substation.
However, the alternative lands available are either agricultural lands or
water bodies, and therefore, the establishment of the electricity substation
in such locations is not feasible. In view of the practical difficulties
involved in identifying an alternative location, the official respondents
have decided to utilise only 90 cents of land belonging to the second
respondent College for the said purpose. Hence, the learned Government
Advocate would submit that the writ petition is liable to be dismissed.
5. We have considered the rival submissions made by the learned
counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government
Advocate appearing for the official respondents and perused the materials
available on record.
6. The main grievance of the petitioner is that the establishment of
an electricity substation within the College premises would endanger the
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
safety of the students and also affect the future expansion of the College.
There can be no dispute with regard to the importance of ensuring the
safety and security of students studying in an educational institution. At
the same time, the requirement of providing essential electricity
infrastructure and the difficulties involved in identifying a suitable
alternative location cannot also be overlooked.
7. In the present case, admittedly, about 150 students are studying
in the second respondent College. It is also not in dispute that the College
is situated in an extent of approximately 12 acres. Out of the said extent,
only 90 cents of land is proposed to be utilised for establishing the
electricity substation. Even after such utilisation, approximately 11 acres
of land would remain available with the College for its future expansion
and development.
8. Therefore, having regard to the extent of land available with the
College and the limited extent of land proposed to be utilised for
establishing the electricity substation, we are unable to accept the
contention of the petitioner that the proposed project would necessarily
deprive the College’s land for its future expansion. Further, the official
respondents have placed before this Court the difficulties in identifying a
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
suitable alternative location, particularly in view of the nature of the
available lands.
9. However, considering that the proposed electricity substation is
to be established within the premises of an educational institution, the
safety of the students, teaching staff and other persons using the College
premises assumes paramount importance. The official respondents, while
proceeding with the establishment of the electricity substation, are
therefore under an obligation to ensure that all necessary safety
precautions and protective measures are strictly implemented. The
proposed electricity substation shall be established in such a manner that
it does not pose any risk to the students and other occupants of the
College premises.
10. In view of the foregoing discussion and considering the facts
and circumstances of the case, we find no merit in the writ petition
warranting interference by this Court under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India.
11. Accordingly, this writ petition stands dismissed. However, the
official respondents are directed to ensure that the proposed electricity
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
substation is established only after taking all necessary and adequate
safety measures, in accordance with the applicable safety standards and
regulations, so as to protect the students, teaching staff and other persons
using the College premises. There shall be no order as to costs.
(P.V.,J.) (K.K.R.K.,J.)
02-11-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
bala
To
1. The Director of Art and Culture,
Tamil Valarchi Valagam,
Egmore, Chennai - 600008.
2. The Principal,
Government College of Arts and Crafts,
Kottayur Village, Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur District.
3. The Commissioner (Land Administration),
Land Administration Department, 2nd Floor,
Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005.
4. The District Collector,
Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
5. The Sub Collector,
Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District.
6. The Superintending Engineer,
TANGEDCO, Thanjavur District.
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
7. The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO,
Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur District.
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WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
P.VELMURUGAN, J.
AND
K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J.
bala
WP(MD) No. 30345 of 2026
02-11-2026
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