The Residents Association v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11.03.2026 Coram THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE and W.M.P.Nos.10481 & 10484 of 2026

1. The Resident's Association, Sai Enclave Apartments, 78/2, 3rd Street, Lattice Bridge Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041.

Represented by its Authorized Signatory Mr.R.Sundareswaran

2. The Resident's Association, Shree Nivas Residents Apartments, New No.86, Old No.131, 3rd Street, L.B.Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041.

Represented by its Authorized Signatory Mr.V.Subramanian

3. The Resident's Association, Priyaram's Apartments, No.90, 3rd Street, L.B.Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041.

Represented by its Authorized Signatory Mr.N.Jagadish .. Petitioners Vs.

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1. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, No.1131, EVR Periyarsalai, Park Town, Chennai - 600 003.

2. The Regional Deputy Commissioner (South), Greater Chennai Corporation, No.115, Dr.Muthulakshmi Salai, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.

3. The Zonal Officer, Corporation Zonal Office, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.

.. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to forthwith consider the petitioners representation dated 24.02.2026 in accordance with law and consequently declare that 3rd Street of L.B.Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041, being a purely residential 9 metre wide public street, shall not be treated or notified as a Street Vending Zone, but be declared as a No Vending Zone. It is further prayed that this Court may be pleased to restrain the respondents from permitting any vending activities or from putting up any structures, demarcations or installations on the said street and to remove any such installations, if already made. For Petitioners :

Mr.S.Rajendrakumar for Mr.R.Perumal Raj For Respondents :

Ms.P.T.Ramdevi Standing counsel ***** 2/6

ORDER

W.M.P.No.10481 of 2026 filed seeking permission for the petitioners to join together and file a single writ petition which is ordered on payment of separate court fee.

2. This writ petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents not to notify the 3rd Street, L.B. Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041, as a vending zone based on the petitioners' representation dated 24.02.2026.

3. According to the petitioners' associations, most of the members of the associations are senior citizens. According to them, if vendors are permitted to permanently have their shops in the 3rd Street, L.B. Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041, the free ingress and egress of the members of the respective petitioner associations will be jeoparadized and it will cause hardship to them. In such circumstances, the respective associations had given representation on 24.02.2026 to the respondents requesting them not to notify the 3rd Street, L.B. Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041 as a vending zone, but, instead treat the said street as no 3/6

vending zone. Since the said representation has not been considered, the petitioners associations have filed this writ petition.

4. Ms.P.T.Ramadevi, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. On instructions, learned Standing Counsel would submit that the petitioner associations, who have filed this writ petition will be heard before a final decision is taken by the respondents as to whether the said street can be treated as a "vending" or "no vending" zone. It is also submitted that the petitioner associations have been called for a meeting by the respondents on 13.03.2026. The said statement is recorded by this Court.

5. No prejudice will be caused to any of the parties if a direction is issued to the respondents to consider the petitioners' representation, as stated supra, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner associations through their authorised representatives within a time frame fixed by this Court. However, till a final decision is taken, the respondents are directed to maintain status quo. Accordingly, this Court directs the second respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's representation dated 4/6

24.02.2026 seeking to declare the 3rd Street, L.B. Road, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041, as a no vending zone after affording a fair hearing to the authorised representatives of the petitioner's associations within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till final orders are passed by the second respondent, the respondents shall maintain status quo.

6. This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 11.03.2026 Index: Yes/No NCC:Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-speaking Order gm To

1. The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation Ripon Building, No.1131, EVR Periyarsalai Park Town, Chennai - 600 003

2. The Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) Greater Chennai Corporation No.115, Dr.Muthulakshmi Salai Adyar, Chennai - 600 020

3. The Zonal Officer Corporation Zonal Office Adyar, Chennai - 600 020 5/6

ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J gm 11.03.2026 6/6