Disposing of a public interest litigation petition that had sought a direction to the Centre and the State to conduct an archaeological excavation in Ulaipatti near Usilampatti in Madurai district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the petitioner to pursue the representation before competent authorities.
The court was hearing the petition filed in 2020 by advocate G. Thirumurugan. The petitioner said an ancient iron smelting furnace, various burial urns and other ancient artefacts were unearthed in Ulaipatti. A proper and systematic excavation could yield a good result in unravelling the history of the land. Such excavations at various sites by archaeological departments had raised the curtains on the past, he said.
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that the High Court cannot issue a direction to conduct such activities unless the authorities had formed an opinion that it was necessary in the interest of the public and in accordance with the provisions of the Central Act and the Rules in force.
Published – July 25, 2025 08:41 pm IST
