Singamsetty Ateendroolo Chetty Charities v. Greater Chennai Corporation

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 10-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN AND WMP Nos.2699 & 2702 OF 2026 Singamsetty Ateendroolo Chetty Charities Rep. by its Trustee, Having office at 141, Mint Street, Chennai 600 001 .. ..Petitioner(s) Vs.

1. Greater Chennai Corporation Rep. by its Commissioner, Rippon Building, Chennai 600 003'.

2. The Area Engineer Division No. 57, Zone V Greater Chennai Corporation Moolagothram, Chennai 600 001. ..Respondent(s) Prayer : This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents not to anyway damaging, deface or put up temporary or permanent structure on the South Market Street, Chennai ( off the Prakasam Salai Alias Broadway, Kothwal Chavadi, Sowcarpet, Chennai 600 001) or the neighbouring streets adjacent to the petitioner's property situated at No.146, Prakasam Salai alias Broadway, Kothwal Chavadi, Sowcarpet, Chennai 600 001.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Srinivasa Moorthy for M/s.Row and Reddy

For Respondents : Ms.Lavanya for Mr.E.C.Ramesh

ORDER

The petitioner came forward with a grievance that the Respondent Corporation is constructing a structure in front of his property on South Market Street, Chennai at No.146, Prakasam Salai alias Broadway, Kothwal Chavadi, Sowcarpet, Chennai-1.

2. Upon looking at the photographs produced by Mr.K.Srinivasa Moorthy, it became clear that the Corporation has indeed put up structures on the road. I called upon Mr.E.C.Ramesh, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents, as to how such encroachments by the Corporation is permissible. He stated that the Commissioner has permitted the construction of structures, invoking Section 123 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998. Hence, I called upon Mr.E.C.Ramesh to produce the order indicating the length of the road to be occupied by the superstructure, the extent of the temporary structures, as well as whether there is any provisional pathway for ingress and egress from the petitioner's property. This Court also called upon the Commissioner to state the period for which the temporary structure would be put up.

3. On the next date of hearing, Mr.E.C.Ramesh stated that the proposal to put up temporary structures has been withdrawn. Hence, the respondents were called upon to file an affidavit to that effect. The matter was directed to be listed today.

4. When I took up the matter, Ms.Lavanya, representing Mr.E.C.Ramesh, produced an affidavit titled "status report". Paragraph No.6 of the status report /affidavit, states as follows:- " I respectfully submit that the Greater Chennai Corporation is withdrawing the plan for erection of temporary structure at South Market Street and the Greater Chennai Corporation will allot alternate space to vendors in the available space in the Vending Zone.

The same is recorded.

5. In view of the above, no further order is required in this writ petition. Hence, this writ petition stands closed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

10-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order kkd

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN J.

kkd To

1. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Rippon Building, Chennai 600 003.

2. The Area Engineer, Division No. 57, Zone V, Greater Chennai Corporation, Moolagothram, Chennai 600 001.

WP No.2451 of 2026 10-02-2026