W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 04-03-2025 CORAM HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR AND HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 S.Manoj Immanuel S/o. C.K.Sagaya Jayaseelan, 182/187,A-1, Ananthakiri 4th Street, Palkalaikalagam Road, Kodaikanal, Dindigul District. Dindigul Petitioner Vs. 1. Union of India, represented by The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment , Forest and Climate change, Indira paryavaran Bhavan, Ali Ganj , Jorbagh Road, New Delhi-110003 2. Union of India, represented by The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, 501, 'C' Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110015 3. The Director of Project Elephant The Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest Department, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 Paryawaran Bhawan, CGO Complex Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 003. 4. The Principal Secretary to Government The State of Tamilnadu, Environment and Forest Department, Chennai 600 009 5. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, The State of Tamilnadu, NO.1, Jeenis Raod Panagal building, Saidapet, Chennai 600015 6. THE WILDLIFE WARDEN, Megamalai Wildlife Division, KRR Nagar, Theni District 625 531 7. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR Office of the District Collector, Theni District. 8. THE CHAIRMAN TANGEDCO Mount Road, Chennai 9. SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER Theni Electricity Distribution Circle, Theni District. 10. THE DIRECTOR Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, 2nd floor, Trikoot-I, Bhikajicama Place, New Delhi 600 015 11. THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR (SR) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, C2A, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090 12. THE JOINT DIRECTOR Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), II floor, Shastri Bhavan No.26, Haddows https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006 13. UNION OF INDIA, Rep. by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, Rail Bhawan, Raisina Road, New Delhi 110 001. 14. SOUTHERN RAILWAY, Rep. by the General Manager, Headquarters Office, Southern Railway, Chennai 600 003. (R13, R14 IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 10.12.2021 MADE IN WMP(MD). 18592/2021 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 15. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, Department of Forest and Wildlife, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. (R15 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 21.01.2022 MADE IN WP.(MD).No.19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 16. THE PRINIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST and Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala State, Thiruvananthapuram. (R16 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 14.02.2022 MADE IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 17. THE CHAIRMAN, National Highways Authority of India, G5 and 6, Sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075. 18. THE REGIONAL OFFICER, National Highways Authority of India, Sri Tower, 3rd Floor, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 19. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Nilgris District. 20. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 District Collectorate, Erode District . 21. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Salem District. 22. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Coimbatore District. 23. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Dindigul District. 24. THENGUMARAHADA CO-OPERATIVE FARMING SOCIETY, Represented by The Chairman, Kotagiri Taluk, Nilgris District. 25. THE PRESIDENT, Thengumarahada Panchayath, Kotagiri Taluk, Nilgris District. (R17 TO R25 IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 14.02.2022 MADE IN WMP(MD).1959/2022 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 26. M.SHANMUGAN, S/o. M.E.Mathaian, 27. M.BHOJARAJAN, S/o. H.R.Muthian, 28. N.GANESHAN, S/o. C.Nanja Gowder, 29. J.KETHAN, S/o. Joshee Gowder, 30. N.LAKSHMIKANTHAN, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 S/o. Nantheeswaran, 31. N.R.LINGIAMMAL, W/o. N.Rangasamy, 32. M.SIVARAMAN, S/o. Matha Gowder, 33. V.RANGARAJ, S/o. Venkatarama Chettier, 34. R.JANARTHANAM, S/o. Rangan, 35. S.PARWATHI, W/o. Shanmugan, 36. S.KAMIAMMAL, D/o. Sillayam, 37. R.SANTHI, D/o. Ramalingam, 38. L.SANTHI, D/o. C.B.Lakshmanan, 39. M.KASI, S/o. Mathaiam, 40. M.RAMACHANDARAN, S/o. B.N.Matham, 41. MATHIAMMAL, W/o. Kambattan, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 42. M.BASUVAIYYAM, S/o. Mathaiyyan, 43. A.LINGARAJ, S/o. Ayyasamy, 44. N.BASUVARAJ, S/o. Nanjan, 45. B.LAKSHMANAM, S/o. Bellan, 46. NEELAMMAL , W/o. Daven, 47. J.B.SUBRAMANI, S/O. J.Bellan, 48. N.B.SHANMUGAM, S/O. Bellaian, 49. K.N.RANGASAMY, S/O. Nanjan, 50. M.KETHAN, S/O. Munian, 51. B.RAMASAMY, S/O. Bellan, 52. T.SIVAIAN S/O. Thoniayyan, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 53. K.S.MAHADEVAN, S/O. Sivayyam, 54. E.BASAVARAJ, S/O. Eswaran D.S., 55. B.DHARMALINGAM, S/O. D.K.Basavaiyam, 56. R.SIVAGAMI, W/O. D.N.Rajaram, 57. RADHAMANI, D/O. Nanjundan, 58. R.K.BELLAIAMMAL, W/O. Kanan, 59. D.BADMA, D/O. Sivalingam, 60. R.JAYARAJ, S/O. Rangasamy Chettiar, 61. DEVI, W/O. Subramani, 62. R.PONNI, W/O. Rangasamy, 63. H.R.LAKSHMANAN, S/O. Raju, 64. S.GEETHA, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 W/O. Sivaraman, 65. B.DEVARAJ, S/O. Bellaian, 66. M.RAJAPAL, S/O. Mani, 67. N.KANNAN, S/O. Nanjaran, 68. DEVIAMMAL, W/O. D.K.Santhaiyan, 69. K.DEVAPPAN, S/O. Kamaiyyan, 70. P.RAJAN, S/O. Thathan, 71. J.B.KULLAN, S/O. Bellan, 72. K.B.KULLAN, S/O. Bellisr, 73. N.NANJAN, S/O. Nanthi, 74. R.CHANDRA SEKARAN, S/O. Rajasuran, 75. R.BABY, W/O. Rangasamy, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 76. K.RAMESH, S/O. Kullan, Girija, 77. PARIMALA SUGANTI, W/O. Chandrasekar, 78. DEVI, W/O. Kamaraj, 79. E.NAGARAJ, S/O. Ejamanan, 80. MITCHIAMMAL, W/O. R.Muthan, 81. RATHINA DEVI, W/O. Dharmalingam, 82. K.SURESH, S/O. M.Krishnan, 83. M.SAGADEVAN, S/O. B.R.Muthian, 84. H.K.B.NEELAIAMMAL, W/O. H.K.Basuvaiah, 85. D.K.LINGAIYA, S/O. Kalarayan, 86. CHIKKAN, S/O. P.T.Rangasamy, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 87. M.RAMAKRISHNAN, S/O. Mathan, 88. NEELAGANDAN, S/O. Dharmaraj, 89. M.BABU, S/O. Mallaian, 90. SATHASIVAM, S/O. Shanmugam, 91. SUGANTHI, D/O. K.H.Kaman, R26 TO R91 are residing at Thengumarahada, Via Bhavani Sagar, The Nilgiris 638 451. (R26 TO R91 IMPLEADED VIDE COURT ORDER DATED 28.02.2022 MADE IN WMP(MD). 3291 of 2022 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 92. K.NATARAJAN, S/o.Karupusamy, 3/38, Thengumarada Post, Bhavanisagar Via, The Nilgiris 638451. 93. B.ANANDHAKUMAR, S/o.Bakthavachalam, 3/26, Upper Side, Thengumarada, The Nilgiirs. (R92, R93 IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 01.04.2022 MADE IN WMP.7522/2022 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ, NSKJ) 94. UNION OF INDIA, The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, KrishiBhavan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi 110001. 95. UNION OF INDIA, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 Rep. by, The Under Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employement Guarentee Act, KrishiBhavan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001. 96. STATE OF TAMIL NADU, Rep by The Principal Secretary to Government, Rural Developmentand Panchayath Raj Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai- 600009. 97. THE DIRECTOR, Rural Development and Panchayath Raj Department, State of TamilNadu, Chennai 15. 98. THE DISTRICT PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employement Guarentee Scheme, Nilgiris District. 99. STATE OF TAMILNADU, Rep by, The Principal Secretary to Government, Agriculture and Horticulture Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai 600009 100. THE DIRECTOR, Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, 3rd floor, Agriculture complex, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 05. 101. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency, Chepauk, Chennai 05. 102. THE HORTICULTURE OFFICER, Government Horticulture farm, Kallar, Nilgiris. (R94 TO R102 IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 21.04.2022 MADE IN WMP(MD).5360/2022 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ, NSKJ) 103. THE NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 (National Tiger Conservation Authority (Regional Office)), Doresanipalya Forest Campus, Arekere Mico Layout, JP Nagar 5th phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560 076. (R103 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 16.09.2022 MADE IN WMP.(MD).1962/2022 AND IN WP.(MD).19771/2018 BY NSKJ, DBCJ) Respondents PRAYER: Writ Miscellaneous Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to direct the respondent No.5 to transfer the investigation related to the poaching of Tiger in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve which was published as news article in the Time of India dated 22.02.2023 to the Special Investigation Team which was constituted by this Court in W.P.(MD) No.19771 of 2018 vide order dated 27.04.2022 for further investigation, consequently direct the respondent No.5 to take appropriate action against the accused persons who were involved in the said Tiger Poaching incident by detaining them under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 in the category of Forest Offender, in accordance with law, within the time stipulated by this Court. For the Petitioner : Mr.R.Alagumani For the Respondents : Mr.V.Chandrasekaran Senior Panel Counsel For RR1 to 3, 10, 11, 15 to 18, 95, 103, 104 Dr.T.Seenivasan, Special Govt. Pleader For RR4 to 7, 19 to 23, 96 to 102 and 105 Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh, Standing Counsel for RR8 & 9 Mr.K.Srinivasan, Special Public Prosecutor (CBI) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 for R12 Mr.P.T.Ramkumar, for RR13 & 14 Mr.Naveenkumar Murthi for RR26 to 91 Mr.M.S.Palanisamy for R24 Mrs.Thanga Vadhana Balakrishnan for RR92 & 93 For R25 - No appearance ORDER This Writ Miscellaneous Petition is filed to direct the respondent No.5 to transfer the investigation related to the poaching of Tiger in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve which was published as news article in the Time of India dated 22.02.2023 to the Special Investigation Team which was constituted by this Court in W.P.(MD) No.19771 of 2018 vide order dated 27.04.2022 for further investigation, consequently direct the respondent No.5 to take appropriate action against the accused persons who were involved in the said Tiger Poaching incident by detaining them under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 in the category of Forest Offender, 2. It is informed that pursuant to the orders of this Court, PT warrant has been issued and the accused was arrested in the connected Crime Number. Page 13 of 19 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 3. Recording the same, this Writ Miscellaneous Petition stands closed. (NSKJ) (DBCJ) 04-03-2025 Jer To 1.Union of India, represented by The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment , Forest and Climate change, Indira paryavaran Bhavan, Ali Ganj , Jorbagh ROad, New Delhi-110003 2. Union of India, represented by The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, 501, 'C' Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110015 3. The Director of Project Elephant The Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest Department, Chennai 600009 4. The Principal Secretary to Government The State of Tamilnadu, Environment and Forest Department, Chennai 600 009. Page 14 of 19 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 5. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, The State of Tamilnadu, NO.1, Jeenis Raod Panagal building, Saidapet, Chennai 600015 6. THE WILDLIFE WARDEN, Megamalai Wildlife Division, KRR Nagar, Theni District 625 531 7. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR Office of the District Collector, Theni District. 8. THE CHAIRMAN TANGEDCO Mount Road, Chennai 9. SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER Theni Electricity Distribution Circle, Theni District. 10. THE DIRECTOR Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, 2nd floor, Trikoot-I, Bhikajicama Place, New Delhi 600 015 11. THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR (SR) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, C2A, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090 12. THE JOINT DIRECTOR Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), II floor, Shastri Bhavan No.26, Haddows ROad, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006 13. UNION OF INDIA, Rep. by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, Rail Bhawan, Raisina Road, New Delhi 110 001. 14. SOUTHERN RAILWAY, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 Rep. by the General Manager, Headquarters Office, Southern Railway, Chennai 600 003. (R13, R14 IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 10.12.2021 MADE IN WMP(MD). 18592/2021 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 15. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, Department of Forest and Wildlife, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. (R15 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 21.01.2022 MADE IN WP.(MD).No.19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 16. THE PRINIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST and Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala State, Thiruvananthapuram. (R16 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 14.02.2022 MADE IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 17. THE CHAIRMAN, National Highways Authority of India, G5 and 6, Sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075. 18. THE REGIONAL OFFICER, National Highways Authority of India, Sri Tower, 3rd Floor, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 19. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Nilgris District. 20. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Erode District . 21. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Salem District. Page 16 of 19 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 22. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Coimbatore District. 23. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, District Collectorate, Dindigul District. 24. THENGUMARAHADA CO-OPERATIVE FARMING SOCIETY, Represented by The Chairman, Kotagiri Taluk, Nilgris District. 25. THE PRESIDENT, Thengumarahada Panchayath, Kotagiri Taluk, Nilgris District. (R17 TO R25 IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 14.02.2022 MADE IN WMP(MD).1959/2022 IN WP(MD).19771/2018 BY VBDJ,NSKJ) 26. UNION OF INDIA, The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, KrishiBhavan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi 110001. 27. UNION OF INDIA, Rep. by, The Under Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employement Guarentee Act, KrishiBhavan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001. 28. STATE OF TAMIL NADU, Rep by The Principal Secretary to Government, Rural Developmentand Panchayath Raj Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai- 600009. 29. THE DIRECTOR, Rural Development and Panchayath Raj Department, State of TamilNadu, Chennai 15. 30. THE DISTRICT PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employement Guarentee Scheme, Nilgiris District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 31. STATE OF TAMILNADU, Rep by, The Principal Secretary to Government, Agriculture and Horticulture Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai 600009 32. THE DIRECTOR, Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, 3rd floor, Agriculture complex, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 05. 33. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency, Chepauk, Chennai 05. 34. THE HORTICULTURE OFFICER, Government Horticulture farm, Kallar, Nilgiris. 35. THE NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (National Tiger Conservation Authority (Regional Office)), Doresanipalya Forest Campus, Arekere Mico Layout, JP Nagar 5th phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560 076. N.SATHISH KUMAR, J., https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J., Jer W.M.P.(MD) No. 4194 of 2023 in W.P.(MD). No.19771 of 2018 04.03.2025 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis