Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras (Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy)

Order Date: 28-09-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: N. Surendiran (Membership No. 566), S. Dhasaradhan Nivas (No. 557), G. Madesh (No. 347), S. Kanishkar (No. 605), D. Sowmiya (No. 609); all residents of Pallipalayam/Namakkal, members of the Inland Fishermen Co‑operative Society.
  • Respondents: 1) Secretary to the Government, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare Department, Chennai; 2) Commissioner of Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare, Chennai; 3) District Collector, Namakkal; 4) Executive Engineer, PWD, WRD Sarabanga Basin Division, Salem; 5) Assistant Director of Fisheries, Mettur Dam, Salem; 6) Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD WRD Sarabanga Basin – Sub Division, Rasipuram, Namakkal; 7) Special Officer, F.M. R‑13 Pallipalayam Avarangkadu Inland Fishermen Co‑operative Society, Pallipalayam, Namakkal.
  • Nature of Petition: Writ petition under Article 226 seeking a writ of mandamus directing the 7th respondent to pass a resolution in favour of the petitioners for fishing rights in Palamedu Lake, pursuant to Revenue Standing Order 211 and Government Order Ms. No. 332 (dated 17‑11‑1993), based on the petitioners' representation dated 10‑09‑2026.
  • Background: The fishing rights in Palamedu Lake are vested with the Water Resources Department. Earlier, the Court had intervened when rights were to be auctioned, resulting in allocation to a cooperative society with traditional fishermen as members. Petitioners, being members of the 7th respondent society, claim entitlement to the rights.
  • Contentions: Petitioners argue the rights must be auctioned to the 7th respondent society. The Special Government Pleader for respondents contends that a resolution must first be passed by the cooperative society. The 7th respondent counsel notes rival groups claiming rights over different lakes and asserts that orders will be passed according to law.

Final Outcome

1. The petitioners' representation dated 10‑09‑2026 shall be first considered by the 7th respondent.

2. The 7th respondent, currently administered by the Special Officer acting as the board, shall conduct a due enquiry, issue notices to both sides, and pass a resolution as the board of the Inland Fishermen Co‑operative Society.

3. The resolution must be forwarded to the 6th respondent (Assistant Director of Fisheries, Mettur Dam) for consideration of the grant of fishing rights.

4. The enquiry and resolution by the 7th respondent must be completed within three weeks from receipt of the web copy of this order.

5. Upon receipt of the appropriate resolution, the 6th respondent shall pass further orders within four weeks.

6. No costs shall be awarded to either party.

Topics: Fishing Rights, Cooperative Society, Judicial Mandamus