Madras HC Disposes Plea Over Encroachments On Three Waterbodies And A Cart Track After Officials Report Their Removal

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the revenue authorities to remove alleged encroachments by respondents 5–69 from water bodies in Survey Nos. 88/1, 88/2 and 73, and from a cart track in Survey No. 116 at Nannai village, and to cancel pattas issued in relation to the alleged encroachments.

The request relied on the petitioner’s representation dated 30 June 2025.

At the hearing, the Additional Government Pleader, relying on the Tahsildar’s written instructions and photographs, informed the Court that the encroachments had been removed on 7 October 2026 in the presence of competent authorities.

The petition invoked the High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking mandamus against public authorities.

The Court did not set out or apply any further statutory provision, precedent, or substantive test concerning encroachment removal or patta cancellation in its order.

The Court recorded the State’s submission, supported by the Tahsildar’s written instructions and photographs, that the subject encroachments had already been removed.

In light of that submission, it disposed of the petition without separately examining the alleged encroachments, the petitioner’s request for patta cancellation, or the merits of the underlying claims.

The Court made no separate order granting patta cancellation or further relief; there was no order as to costs, and any connected miscellaneous petitions were closed.