Karthikeyan Construction v. The Chief Engineer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 20-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Karthikeyan Construction Represented by its Partner, Senthilkumar, S/o. Chinnasamy, No.4/120-1, Jalyhalli Kottai (Village), Chettikarai (Post) Dharmapuri Taluk and District.
..Petitioner Vs
1. The Chief Engineer Highways Department (C and M), Integrated Chief Engineers Complex, 2nd Floor, No.76 Sardar Patel Road, Guindy,Chennai-600 025
2. The Superintending Engineer, Highways Department, (Construction and Maintenance), Salem Circle, Steel Plant Road, Jagir Ammapalayam Post, Salem
3. The Divisional Engineer Highways Department, (Construction and Maintenance), Dharmapuri Division, Salem Main Road, Collectorate Post,
Dharmapuri -636 705 ..Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd Respondent to consider the petitioner's application bearing Application No.TN-452024112600151 dated 26.11.2024 for registration as a class -I, Government Contractor based on the recommendation sent by the 3rd Respondent to the 2nd Respondent dated 11.09.2025 vide letter No.--/Va.Pa./Ko.Oo.Pathivu/2025/Mu.Va.A. within a stipulated time to be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner:
M/S. C.Prabakaran For Respondents:
Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader
ORDER
This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 2nd Respondent to consider the petitioner's application bearing Application No.TN-452024112600151 dated 26.11.2024 for registration as a class -I, Government Contractor based on the recommendation sent by the 3rd Respondent to the 2nd Respondent dated 11.09.2025 vide letter No.--Va.Pa./Ko.Oo.Pathivu/ 2025/Mu.Va.A, within a stipulated time to be fixed by this Court.
2.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is a partnership firm engaged in executing contract works for various government departments, private companies, agencies, and institutions in the fields of building construction, planning, civil contracting, interior design and contracting, renovation, demolition, and supply of building materials. On 26.11.2024, the petitioner submitted an online application to the 3rd respondent department seeking registration as a government contractor. Based on this application, the 3rd respondent, by communication dated 11.07.2025, requested the Tahsildar, Dharmapuri, to issue a genuineness certificate of the Solvency Certificate. The petitioner uploaded the required documents, which were duly verified.
Despite complying with all directions and submitting the requisite documents, the official respondents have acted arbitrarily and unlawfully by failing to process the petitioner's application. Hence, this writ petition has been filed. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's application within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court. 4.
application and pass appropriate orders within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.
5.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the second respondent to consider the petitioner's application dated 26.11.2024 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, 6.With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 20-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Uma
To
1. The Chief Engineer Highways Department (C and M), Integrated Chief Engineers Complex, 2nd Floor, No.76 Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 025
2. The Superintending Engineer, Highways Department, (Construction and Maintenance), Salem Circle, Steel Plant Road, Jagir Ammapalayam Post, Salem
3. The Divisional Engineer Highways Department, (Construction and Maintenance), Dharmapuri Division, Salem main road, Collectorate Post, Dharmapuri -636 705
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
Uma 20-04-2026