Mrs. Kumudha, v. The Union Bank

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 28.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 2103 of 2026 Kumudha ...petitioner Vs.

The Union Bank of India Rep by its Branch Manager Angalakuruchi Branch, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu

...Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent to permit the petitioner to independently access and operate the Locker No. 1 at the respondent Bank without insisting the consent or presence of the petitioner's husband.

For petitioner :

Mr. G.Selvi George 1/5

O R D E R

This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To direct the respondent to permit the petitioner to independently access and operate the Locker No. 1 at the respondent Bank without insisting the consent or presence of the petitioner's husband. "

2. A private contractual right is sought to be ventilated through the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The petitioner is aggrieved by the fact that she has not given access to the locker which is operated by her husband in the respondent bank. The remedy available to the petitioner is elsewhere and not by filing this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

3. In the judgements as way back in Rashid Ahmed Vs. Municipal Board Kairana - AIR 1950 SC 163 and Nain Sukh Das Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh - AIR 1953 SC 384, the Hon'ble Supreme Court had held that prerogative writs are extraordinary remedies intended to be applied in exceptional cases in which the ordinary legal 2/5

remedies are not adequate.

4. However, now the writ remedy is the panache for all legal problems and ordinary legal remedies are being brushed aside and petitions couched as a writ of mandamus are sought to be issued to public authorities to do acts / discharge functions for which they have no powers, to banks for carrying out their contractual obligations for which a civil remedy is available and private parties to enforce private rights. The Courts are being inundated with such litigations. The case on hand relates to accessing a bank locker. If the Bank has rendered deficient service the petitioner ought to approach the proper forum and not invoke the writ jurisdiction. The relationship between the petitioner and the Bank is purely contractual.

5. Therefore, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. 28.01.2026 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No kan 3/5

To The Union Bank of India Rep by its Branch Manager Angalakuruchi Branch, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu 4/5

P.T. ASHA, J kan 28.01.2026 5/5