Glenworth Estate Limited v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 13.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P.Nos.10487, 10489 and 10491 of 2026 Glenworth Estate Limited Rep. by its Director K.Gopinath Having its registered office at 2nd Floor, "Trinity Tower", No.30, (Old No.22), Conron Smith Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai-600 086 Petitioner Vs The Commissioner Coonoor Municipality, The Nilgiris-643 102 Respondent PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records of the respondent contained in its notice dated 31.12.2025 bearing Na.Ka.No.1169/2025/F1 and to quash the same as unfair, unjust and arbitrary and consequently direct the respondent to remove the lock and seal placed on the petitioner's guest house situated at Runnymede House, Coonoor, The Nilgiris.

For Petitioner:

Mr.Suhrith Parthasarathy For Respondent:

Mrs. Akila Rajendran Government Advocate

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Heard on admission.

2. The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed seeking the following relief: "For the reasons stated in the accompanying affidavit, it is prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to grant a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus or any other writ in the name of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the respondent contained in its notice dated 31.12.2025 bearing Na.Ka.No.1169/2025/F1 and to quash the same as unfair, unjust and arbitrary and consequently direct the respondent to remove the lock and seal place on the petitioner's guest house situated at Runnymede House, Coonoor, The Nilgiris and thus render justice."

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, against the impugned notice dated 31.12.2025, the petitioner had filed its reply on 6.1.2026. Despite receipt of the reply, the respondent has not taken a

decision. He further submitted that the Estate in question will not be used for any commercial purpose and they may be permitted to operate the Estate only as guest house.

4. In the interest of justice, we direct the respondent to take a final decision and pass a reasoned and speaking order, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of four weeks from today.

5. With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, interim applications are closed.

We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the matter.

(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 13.03.2026 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No bbr To:

The Commissioner Coonoor Municipality, The Nilgiris-643 102

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.

bbr 13.03.2026