Munusamy Sivaraman v. The District Revenue Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 18-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ WP No.14315 of 2026 and WMP No.15544 of 2026 Munusamy Sivaraman ..Petitioner Vs
1. The District Revenue Officer Krishnagiri District-635115.
2. Dhanalakshmi
3. Nagaraj ..Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the 1st Respondent relating to the impugned order dated 18.03.2026 Vide Proceeding K.Dis.No.30096/2024/C2, cancelling No Objection Certificate granted in favour of the Petitioner and quash the same and consequently direct the first Respondent to restore No Objection Certificate issued in D.Dis.No.32010/2016/C2 dated 24.03.2017 in favour of petitioner for running the petroleum retail outlet at Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri District. For Petitioner(s):
Ms. C.Jaya Chithra For Respondent(s):
Mr.J.V.Sakthi Balakrishnan, for Government for R1 Mr.M.AKASH for R2 Mr.D.Rajkumar for R3
ORDER
The present writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned proceedings dated 18.03.2020, whereby no objection certificate issued by the District Revenue Officer, Krishnagiri vide proceedings dated 24.03.2017, permitting M/s.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Karur to store and sell petroleum products (15KL HSD Class 'A' and 20 KL HSD Class 'B') in respect of an extent of land measuring 0.22.5 hectares out of total extent of 0.37.0 hectares comprised in Survey No.26/4, situated at Shoolagiri Village and Taluk, Krishnagiri District was cancelled in terms of Petroleum Act, 1934 and Rule 150 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002.
2. The challenge is primarily on the ground that impugned proceedings proceeds on the basis that petitioner, who had taken on lease the subject property, no longer has any interest either as owner or as a lessee. In view thereof, no objection certificate was cancelled on the premise that the lessee ceases to have any right to use the subject property for storing petroleum.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would submit that they have raised the issue relating to the jurisdiction of the respondent authority to cancel no objection certificate and also would point out that the impugned order suffers from gross violation of principles of natural justice inasmuch as petitioner had
requested for a month's time to submit complete information and relevant documents, however, they were not afforded reasonable opportunity to furnish the requisite documents.
4. Learned State Counsel for first respondent would submit that they had in fact provided petitioner adequate opportunity but nevertheless petitioner failed to avail of the opportunity so provided.
5. However, keeping in view the rights involved, when it was suggested by this Court that if petitioner be directed to furnish the requisite documents and appear for personal hearing on 22.06.2026 at 11.00 am and thereafter, order would be passed by the respondent authority, within a week thereafter, it was agreed to by petitioner, first respondent as well as by the second and third respondent, who claim to be the present owners.
6. In view thereof, petitioner is directed to furnish the requisite documents and appear for personal hearing on 22.06.2026 at 11.00 am before the respondent authority. It is open to second and third respondents to make their submission along with requisite documents in support thereof on the said date and thereafter, the first respondent authority is directed to conduct an enquiry with petitioner along with respondents 2 and 3 and pass appropriate orders, within a week thereafter, in accordance with law.
7. The writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
18-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MRN To
1. The District Revenue Officer Krishnagiri District-635115
MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.
MRN WP No.14315 of 2026 18-06-2026