MADURAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday appointed TSR Venkataramana as an advocate commissioner to inspect the alleged illegal sand quarrying activities in the Cauvery river in Trichy district. Justice S Vaidyanathan appointed the advocate commissioner on a petition filed by Musiri-based farmer S Narayanan. In his petition, Narayaanan said illegal sand quarrying activities were taking place in Manjakorai village. Though he had complained to the district administration and public works department against the illegal activities, there was no action. Illegal quarrying resulted in the depletion of groundwater in the village and affected the lives of farmers, the petitioner said.