IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR & THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE M.C.HARI RANI TUESDAY, THE 4TH NOVEMBER 2008 / 13TH KARTHIKA 1930 WP(C).No. 31106 of 2008(C) ---------------------------------- PETITIONER : ---------------- SUBASH E.P., S/O.PAPPU, ERUMATHADAM, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR KARA, PIN 683 541, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.LEGY ABRAHAM RESPONDENTS : ------------------- 1. THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KUNNATHUNADU, POLICE CIRCLE OFFICE, PATTIMATTAM, PATTIMATTAM P.O., PIN 683 562. 2. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KUNNATHUNADU POLICE STATION, PATTIMATTAM P.O., PIN 683 562. 3. N.V.YACOB, S/O.VARGHESE, NADUKKUDY HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 4. LISSY, W/O.YACOB, NADUKKUDY HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 5. BABY V.M., VELLAMPARAYIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 6. Y.THOMAS, S/O.YACOB, NADUKKUDY HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. WP(C).No. 31106 of 2008(C) 7. J.CHACKO, S/O.YACOB, NADUKKUDY HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 8. ANNAMMA, W/O.PAULOSE, KEERIKKATTIL HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 9. VARGHESE, S/O.PAULOSE,KEERIKKATTIL HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 10. MOLLY, W/O.VARGHESE, KEERIKKATTIL HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 11. PAULOSE.K.K., KEERIKKATTIL HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 12. A.P.OUSEPH, AMMIPPILLIMALIL HOUSE, KEERIKKATTIL HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 13. PAUL VARGHESE, AMMIPPILLIMALIL HOUSE, KEERIKKATTIL HOUSE AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 14. MARY OUSEPH, W/O.OUSEPH, AMMIPPILLIMALIL HOUSE,AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 15. SABU VARGHESE, AMMIPPILLIMALIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 16. SARAMMA VARGHESE, W/O.VARGHESE, AMMIPPILLIMALIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 17. M.RAJAN, MADATHARUVIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 18. MARY RAJAN, W/O.RAJAN, MADATHARUVIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 19. JYOTHI, W/O.RAVI, KALLUMALIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. WP(C).No. 31106 of 2008(C) 20. SUJA PURUSHOTHAMAN, W/O.PURUSHOTHAMAN, KUNNAPPILLIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 21. PURUSHOTHAMAN, KUNNAPPILLIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 22. DHANYA, W/O.RAVEENDRAN, KUNNAPPILLIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. 23. REMA, W/O.VIJAYAN, KUNNAPPILLIL HOUSE, AIRAPURAM P.O., KUZHOOR, PIN 683 541. ADV. SRI.T.A.UNNIKRISHNAN - R4 TO 12,14,16, SRI.P.P.BIJU - R4 TO 12,14 & 1 SRI.P.N.RAMAKRISHNAN NAIR - R3 AND 13 SRI.P.VISWANATHAN - R3 AND 13 SR.GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.BENJAMIN PAUL THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 04/11/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WP(C).No. 31106 of 2008(C) APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS : EXT.P1: TRUE COPY OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PETITIONER AND SREEDHARAN NAIR DATED 13.05.2008 EXT.P2: TRUE COPY OF THE PERMIT ISSUED BY M & G DPT. NO.21/08- 09/MM/GS/CRPS/DOE/2805/E2/08 DT.08.08.2008. EXT.P3: TRUE COPY OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PETITIONER AND P.K.SOBIN DT.18.06.2008 EXT.P4: TRUE COPY OF THE EXPLOSIVES LICENCE OF P.K.SOBIN NO.E/SC/KL/22/757(E33942) DT.25.03.2008 EXT.P5: TRUE COPY OF THE MINING MATE'S CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY MINE SAFETY DPT.NO.11423 DT.10.02.1999 EXT.P6: TRUE COPY OF THE CONSENT ISSUED BY KERALA STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD NO.PCB/RO-EKM/ICO-177/F/08 DT.18.06.2008 EXT.P7: TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER OF THE D.M.O.ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY, MAZHAUVANNOOR GRAMA PANCHAYAT EXT.P8: TRUE COPY OF THE RECEIPT ISSUED BY SECRETARY, MAZHUVANNOOR GRAMA PANCHAYAT FOR RECEIPT OF LICENCE FEE DT.13.10.2008. EXT.P9: TRUE COPY OF THE RECEIPT ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT NO.1379/PTN/08-09 DT.14.10.2008 EXT.P10: TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT DT.17.10.2008 EXT.P11: TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT DT.18.10.2008 EXT.P12: TRUE COPY OF THE RECEIPT ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT NO.377/08 DT.18.10.2008. -TRUE COPY- P.A. TO JUDGE pac K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR & M.C.HARI RANI, JJ. ========================================= W.P.(C).No.31106 of 2008 - C =============================== Dated this the 4th day of November, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner is proposing to start a granite quarry. He has got all the requisite licenses for the same, including the licence from the Panchayath, requisite clearance certificate from the Pollution Control Board and also those under the Explosives Rules. He has the necessary certificate of competence under the Mines Act also. But the persons in the locality have taken up cudgels against the starting of the quarry. The petitioner has only started removing the earth from the rock formation so that blasting can be done. Actual blasting is yet to start. At this stage, respondents 3 to 23 have started causing obstruction. Though the petitioner moved the police for protection, it was of no avail. So, this writ petition is filed seeking appropriate reliefs. 2. 5th respondent has filed a counter affidavit stating that based on the documents produced by the petitioner, he is not entitled to run the quarry. The said respondent is residing near the quarry. The quarry is going to cause danger and nuisance to W.P.(C).No.31106 of 2008 - C 2 him and his family members. Respondents 3 and 13 have filed a counter affidavit. They deny all the allegations against them. They also submit that the petitioner has not got all the requisite permits and licenses for running the quarry. The quarry will be a threat to their life and property and also to other persons in that locality. Some of the neighbouring residents have already moved the civil court seeking an injunction against the petitioner. The matter is pending before the Munsiff's Court, Perumbavoor, it is submitted. 2. The petitioner in answer submits that so far no court has issued any injunction restraining him from running the quarry. He further asserts that he has got all the necessary permits/licences for running the quarry. 3. We feel that the dispute between the quarry owner and the neighbouring residents is a civil dispute which cannot be adjudicated by the police, but can be effectively adjudicated by the civil court. If the quarry is causing danger to the lives of the people of the locality and causes pollution, the objection of the local people may be justified and in that event, the police cannot W.P.(C).No.31106 of 2008 - C 3 be send to drive them away. But we are not expressing any final opinion on the contentions raised by the party respondents herein. We feel that the petitioner, who claims a right to run the quarry may move the civil court and seek appropriate orders. The civil court can also address the police to assist the petitioner to enforce its orders. This view taken by us is in accord with the decision in Tilakan v. Circle Inspector of Police (2008 (1) KLT 141). In view of the above position, the writ petition is dismissed without prejudice to the petitioner's right to move other forums for appropriate reliefs. K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, JUDGE M.C.HARI RANI, JUDGE. bkn/-