N.A.Varadarajan v. The District Collector,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06.05.2022 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN W.P.No.12035 of 2022 and W.M.P.No.11458 of 2022 N.A.Varadarajan ..Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Salem District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

3. The Tashildar,

4. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, ..Respondents Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2022 consequently, direct the respondent to permit the petitioner to continue sculpture business in Narasingapuram, Attur Taluk, Salem District.

For Petitioner :

Mr.S.N.Subramani For Respondents :

Mrs.Anitha Special Government Pleader

ORDER

The relief sought in this writ petition is to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2022 and consequently, permit him to continue sculpture business in Narasingapuram, Attur Taluk, Salem District.

2.It is the case of the petitioner that he is a sculptor and is making statues as per the instructions given by his customers and according to the rules prescribed by the authorities concerned. He is eking out his livelihood by doing such business. While so, the police and revenue officials came to his house on 13.04.2022 and threatened the petitioner to stop the business and obtained signature in two stamped papers as well as white papers. Since the respondent officials prevented the petitioner from delivering the statues to his customers, he made a representation dated 15.04.2022 requesting them to permit him to continue his sculpture business. However, till date, no order was passed in the said representation. Therefore, this writ petition.

3.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader taking notice for the respondents.

4.Considering the limited relief sought herein, this court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2022 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. Such an exercise shall be completed within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(Vacation Officer) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar hvk/dm To

1. The District Collector, Salem District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

3. The Tashildar,

4. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, +1cc to the Government Pleader, S.R.No.31253 W.P.No.12035 of 2022 NR(CO) SU(18/05/2022)