Madras High CourtWP/12324/2026disposed of

M.P.Natarajan And Co v. The Secretary,

2026-04-06Honourable Mr Justice Abdul Quddhose4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE M.P.Natarajan and Co Represented by its partner N.E.Athipan Raj, Having office at C-205, CMDA Sathangadu Iron and Steel Market, Sathangadu, Manali, Chennai - 600 068.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Tamilnadu Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 005.

2. The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority Cum The Chairman, Market Committee, The Sathangadu Iron and Steel Market Area, 1A, Gandhi Irwin Road, Tower-I, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER - This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider my representation dated 23.12.2025 and to dispose the same at the earliest. For Petitioner(s):

Ms.S.Menaka For Respondent(s):

Mr.Shahjahan, Special Government Pleader (For R1) Mr.B.Sanjay Balachandar, Standing Counsel (For R2)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner association in the interest of its members, who according to the petitioner association are wholesale traders entitled to be appointed as representatives by the Government as members of the Market Committee as per the provisions of Section 8 of the Tamil Nadu Specified Commodities Markets (Regulation of Location) Act, 1996.

2.According to the petitioner, till date, the 1st respondent has not nominated the three representatives from among the wholesale traders as members of the Market Committee under Section 8 of the Tamil Nadu Specified Commodities Markets (Regulation of Location) Act, 1996. The petitioner had given a representation on 23.12.2025 with the 1st respondent for the aforesaid purpose. Since the same has not been considered till date, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition.

3.Mr.Shahjahan, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Mr.B.Sanjay Balachandar, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the 2nd respondent.

4.Learned counsel for the petitioner has also enclosed similar order passed by this Court in another Writ Petition filed by another association. 5.No prejudice would be caused to the respondents if a direction is issued to the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation seeking for nomination of its members as representatives of the Market Committee as per Section 8 of the Tamil Nadu Specified Commodities Markets (Regulation of Location) Act, 1996, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's representation. 6.For the foregoing reasons, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the 1st respondent to pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's representation dated 23.12.

2025, seeking for nomination of its members as representatives of the Market Committee under Section 8 of the Tamil Nadu Specified Commodities Markets (Regulation of Location) Act, 1996, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. However, there shall be no order as to costs.

ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.

GSA To

1. The Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Tamilnadu Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 005.

3. The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority Cum The Chairman, Market Committee, The Sathangadu Iron and Steel Market Area, 1A, Gandhi Irwin Road, Tower-I, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.

06-04-2026