Mon May 19 15:44:32 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article rewrite:
**Summary:**
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has levied a significant penalty against the Industries Department for failing to comply with court orders regarding sand quarrying rights in Tiruchi district. The case originates from a 2015 contempt petition filed after the department repeatedly refused to grant quarrying permission to a petitioner, despite previous court directives and even Supreme Court rulings in the petitioner’s favor. The core issue revolves around the government’s takeover of sand quarries in 2003 and subsequent delays in granting necessary pathway permissions, effectively preventing the petitioner from exercising their granted quarrying rights. The court deemed the non-compliance a wilful disobedience, aimed at denying the petitioner the benefits of the court’s order.
**News Article:**
**Madras High Court Slaps ₹25 Lakh Fine on Industries Department for Sand Quarrying Contempt**
**MADURAI, May 19, 2025** – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered the Industries Department to pay ₹20 lakh to petitioners and ₹5 lakh to the Chief Justice Relief Fund for deliberately disobeying court orders related to sand quarrying permissions in Tiruchi district. The ruling comes after years of legal battles stemming from a 2015 contempt petition filed by Babu of Tiruchi, later pursued by his family members after his death.
The case highlights a protracted dispute over quarrying rights granted in 2001, complicated by a 2003 government order taking over sand quarry operations. While the Supreme Court upheld the government order, it also directed a refund of unutilized lease amounts to existing lessees. However, the petitioner, despite obtaining initial permissions, faced repeated delays from the Forest Department in securing pathway access for transportation, rendering their quarrying license ineffective.
Despite court directives, including a 2010 order instructing the petitioner to seek pathway permission and approach the Tiruchi Collector for lease extension, the collector disregarded the renewed application. Justice K. Kumaresh Babu of the Madras High Court condemned the department’s actions as a “wilful disobedience” designed to deprive the petitioner of their rightfully obtained benefits, accusing the department of a collective effort to circumvent court orders. The hefty fine underscores the court’s commitment to upholding its rulings and preventing bureaucratic obstruction of justice.
First Piper 