Dr.A.E.Chelliah v. Director Of Information And Public Relations,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 15.03.2021 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY W.P.No.6540 of 2021 Dr.A.E.Chelliah Senior Advocate .. Petitioner Vs.

1. Director of information & Public Relations Chief Secretariat, Fort st.George, Chennai - 60 009.

2. Chennai Press club, Gov.Estate (Behind State Guest House), Chennai - 600 002.

3. Reporters Guild, Omandurar Gov.Estate, Chennai - 600 002.

.. Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus direct the first respondent and direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents the Print and Television Media that attended the Press Meet on 22.02.2021 at 11.00 AM responding to the communication from the Chennai Press Club, to publish the reports they have taken in the hall and the interviews by the TV Channels, who are the Accredited Tamizh Naadu News Media Representatives and pass such further or other orders that could act as a standing direction for their proper functioning in future.

For petitioner :: Dr.A.E.Chelliah, Party-in-Person For respondents :: Mr.V.Jayaprakash Narayanan, State Government Pleader for the first respondent https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

ORDER

(made by Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, J.) The petitioner is a Senior Advocate of this Court. He states that he has formed an association called the "Anti Liquour Movement, Tamizh Naadu", which was registered on 11.01.2021. The said association conducted a press meet on 20.02.2021 at the Chennai Press Club. At this press meet, the ill-effects of the consumption of alcohol and matters of allied nature were discussed. The writ petitioner asserts that the proceedings of the said press meet have not been duly publicized by respondents 2 and 3 and therefore, the writ petition has been filed.

2. In the absence of a statutory duty on the part of the respondents concerned, a mandamus cannot be issued to direct them to publicize the proceedings of the press meet of the "Anti-liquour Movement, Tamizh Naadu" which was held on 20.02.2021. It is needless to say that it is open to the said respondents to publicize the proceedings of such press meet if they so intend.

3. W.P.No.6540 of 2021 is disposed of subject to the above observations. There will be no order as to costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar tar To:

1. Director of information & Public Relations Chief Secretariat, Fort st.George,Chennai - 60 009.

2. Chennai Press club, Gov.Estate (Behind State Guest House), Chennai - 600 002.

3. Reporters Guild, Omandurar Gov.Estate, Chennai - 600 002.

+1 cc to The Government Pleader Sr.No. 16384 +2CCS to M/s.Dr.A.E.Chelliah, Advocate, Sr.No. 16627(09/04/2021) W.P.No.6540 of 2021 PMK(CO) RMP(25/03/2021) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/