A public interest litigation (pil) has been filed in the Madras High Court, seeking a direction against illegal tapping of groundwater in Tiruvallar and Kancheepuram districts. The petitioner, Bharat Cultural Association, alleged that illegal water tapping continues in 243 villages of these two districts, despite a government order prohibiting such tapping. It also quoted a September 1995 order directing the collectors to act on a representation made by villagers. A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice N K Jain and Justice K Sampath noted that the allegations were serious and need to be investigated.