: Madras High Court today ordered status quo be maintained on the order of single Judge C S Karnan, who allowed a petition by PRP Granites against the Government Order to remove waste dumped in poromboke lands.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam before which an appeal filed by Tamil Nadu government, represented by Secretary, Industries Department, in its order directed Status Quo as on date.
When the matter came up today, the Government pleader submitted that Madurai Collector has stated that there are six matters in which appeals have been listed, including the present one. In the first two, notices had been issued and an interim order of status quo has been granted, he said.
The government appeal was against November 11 2014 order of Justice C S Karnan. Government submitted that the single judge had failed to note that no person shall transport,store or cause to be transported or store any mineral otherwise than in accordance with Mines and Minerals (development and regulation) Act, 1957.
The appeal further said that in view of granite blocks stored unauthorizedly in government lands, several water bodies and channels were destroyed and ultimately farmers were adversely affected.
It also submitted that the single judge had failed to note that Section4(1)(1-A) is a cognizable offence and carries jail term upto two years or with fine and they are not perishable materials.
The bench then directed the parties to maintain status quo and also directed that it be listed on Dec 10 2015 when connected appeals will also be taken up for hearing.
