Sharadakrupa Cold Storage (P) Ltd, v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.Nos.11204, 11210, 11212, 11214, 11231 and 11420 of 2026, and W.M.P.Nos.12199, 12201, 12202, 12211, 12214, 12216, 12213, 12215, 12217, 12219, 12221, 12222, 12240, 12241, 12243, 12436, 12437 and 12440 of W.P.No.11204 of 2026 Agri Business (TNSAMB), Kanchipuram Marketing Committee, Kanchipuram.

comprised in Impugned Notice of Termination dated 11.03.2026, located at Ambattur, issued by the third respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and consequently, direct the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility. W.P.No.11210 of 2026 Agri Business (TNSAMB), Kanchipuram Marketing Committee, Kanchipuram.

comprised in Impugned Notice of Termination dated 11.03.2026, located at Redhills, issued by the third respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and consequently, direct the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility. W.P.No.11212 of 2026 Agri Business (TNSAMB), Salem Marketing Committee, Salem.

comprised in Impugned Notice of Termination dated 11.03.2026, located at Salem, issued by the third respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and consequently, direct the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility. W.P.No.11214 of 2026 Agri Business (TNSAMB), Dharmapuri Marketing Committee, Dharmapuri.

comprised in Impugned Notice of Termination dated 12.03.2026, issued by the third respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and consequently, direct the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility.

W.P.No.11231 of 2026 Agri Business (TNSAMB), Coimbatore Marketing Committee, Coimbatore.

comprised in Impugned Notice of Termination dated 12.03.2026, located at Sulur, issued by the third respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and consequently, direct the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility. W.P.No.11420 of 2026 Tirunelveli Marketing Committee, Tirunelveli.

comprised in Impugned Notice of Termination dated 12.03.2026, located at Thoothukudi, issued by the third respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and consequently, direct the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility. In all petitions For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Parthasarathy Senior Counsel for Mr.Rahul Balaji For Respondents :

Mr.P.Kumaresan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mrs.V.Yamunadevi Special Government Pleader C O M M O N O R D E R These Writ Petitions have been filed challenging the Impugned Notices of Termination dated 11.03.2026 and 12.03.2026 issued by the third respondent and for a consequential direction to the respondents to immediately remove the lock and seal affixed on the cold storage facilities, restore electricity supply, thereby enabling the petitioner to operate the cold storage facility.

2. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that on account of non-payment of arrears of lease rent, the third respondent, namely the Secretary of the Marketing Committee of the respective Districts has locked and sealed the subject premises, without providing any opportunity to the petitioner, which is arbitrary and unsustainable one. However, in order to show the bonafide of the petitioner, the petitioner is ready and willing to deposit 40% of the total arrears amount in each case within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. Upon receipt of the same, the respondents may be directed to de-seal the premises enabling the petitioner to continue the business in the subject premises in the respective districts and thereafter, the petitioner may be permitted to submit their objections to the impugned notices.

3. The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents fairly submits that if the petitioner deposits 40% of the arrears amount in each case, the subject premises will be de-sealed upon receipt of such amount.

4. Recording the submissions made by both sides, these Writ Petitions are disposed of on the following directions:-

(i) the petitioner is directed to deposit 40% of the arrears amount as demanded by the third respondent in each case on or before 01.04.2026. (ii) upon such deposit being made, the respondents are directed to de-seal the subject premises.

(iii) the petitioner is at liberty to submit their objections, if any to the impugned notices simultaneously.

(iv) on receipt of such objections, the respondents shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the petitioner. There shall be no order as to costs. Connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 18.03.2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssb Note: Issue order copy on 18.03.2026

To Kanchipuram Marketing Committee, Kanchipuram.

4.The Secretary, Salem Marketing Committee, Salem.

5.The Secretary, Dharmapuri Marketing Committee, Dharmapuri.

6.The Secretary, Coimbatore Marketing Committee, Coimbatore.

7.The Secretary, Tirunelveli Marketing Committee, Tirunelveli.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

ssb W.P.Nos.11204, 11210, 11212, 11214, 11231 and 11420 of 2026 18-03-2026