Madras High CourtWP/7397/2026disposed of with direction

Guru Sriram Flat Owners Association v. The District Collector

2026-03-02Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani8 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 02.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Guru Sriram Flat Owners Association Rep. by its Secretary, A.U.Abdul Hameed ... Petitioner Vs.

1 The District Collector, Chennai District, Chennai.

2 The Revenue Divisional Officer, Chennai South Division, Chennai.

3 The Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Shastri Bhawan, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 006.

4 The Commissioner of Police Greater Chennai City Police 132, Commissioner Office Building, EVK Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.

5 The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, EVR Salai (Poonamallee High Road) Park Town, Chennai - 600 003.

1/8

6 The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, 76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

7 The Director General of Police / Director, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, No.17, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road, Egmore, Chennai - 8.

8 Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Represented by its Regional Manager, Indian Oil Bhawan, 139, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034.

9 Chief Manager, Torrent Gas, Arcopolis Complex, No.148, Radhakrishnan Road, 5th Floor, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 004.

10 K.P.K. Lakshmi Agencies IOCL Licensed Dealer No.82/83, Kamarajar Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai - 600 089.

... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 7 to take necessary action against the 10th respondent and respondents 8 to 9 to cancel the CNG Gas license granted in favour of the 10th respondent 2/8

and permanently stop CNG distribution /sales at the Indian Oil Petrol Bunk at Kamarajar Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai - 600 089. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Maharaja For Respondents : Mrs.Yamuna Devi for R1 to R3 Special Government Pleader Ms.S.Vanitha Joice Rani for R5 Mr.Vijay R.Sekar for R8 for M/s.Navod Prasannan

O R D E R

Heard the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mrs.Yamuna Devi, learned Special Government Pleader, who takes notice on behalf of the respondents 1 to 3, Ms.S.Vanitha Joice Rani, who takes notice on behalf of the fifth respondent and Mr.Vijay R.Sekar for M/s.Navod Prasannan, learned counsel who takes notice on behalf of the eighth respondent. Since this Court is not inclined to issue any adverse order as against the respondents 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10, notice to the respondents 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 is dispensed with.

2.The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 7 to take 3/8

necessary action against the 10th respondent and respondents 8 to 9 to cancel the CNG Gas license granted in favour of the 10th respondent and permanently stop CNG distribution /sales at the Indian Oil Petrol Bunk at Kamarajar Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai - 600 089. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner Association represents 24 residential flats comprising 24 families residing at Guru Sriram Apartments, Valluvar Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai. The learned counsel further submitted that adjacent to the petitioner's residential apartments, with the permission of the eighth respondent, the tenth respondent is running a petroleum outlet including CNG Filling station.

The installation and operation of a CNG storage and dispensing facility in such a congested domestic residential area poses a grave and imminent threat to the life and safety of the public, thereby, the petitioner Association made representation to the official respondents on 13.06.2024 and the petitioner also made complaint before the CM Helpline on 17.06.2025, however, till date the petitioner Association's grievance was not considered by the official respondents.

4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further 4/8

submitted that this Court may without going into the merits of the case, issue direction to the second respondent to conduct enquiry between the petitioner, eighth respondent and tenth respondent and to pass appropriate orders, ensuring the safety of the residents of the petitioner Association after providing opportunity to the petitioner, eighth respondent and tenth respondent.

5.The learned counsel appearing for the eighth respondent submitted that this Court may issue direction to the second respondent to conduct enquiry between the petitioner, eighth respondent and tenth respondent and to conclude the same as expeditiously as possible.

6.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submitted already the complaint made by the petitioner was considered by the first respondent and the same was forwarded to the Pollution Control Board and Joint Chief Controller of Explosives.

7.In view of the submission made by the learned Special 5/8

Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3, this Court directs that the first respondent, after getting views from the Pollution Control Board and Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, shall provide opportunity to the petitioner, eighth respondent and tenth respondent and pass appropriate orders, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of the views from the Pollution Control Board and Joint Chief Controller of Explosives.

8.The writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 02.03.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To 1 The District Collector, Chennai District, Chennai.