M/S Vadipattiraja Hockey Academy v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ and WMP.No.15647 of 2026 M/s Vadipattiraja Hockey Academy Represented by its president / Authorised person K. Kausic Having office at New No 32 Old No 117, Plot No C 10, W Block, 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040 ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Commissioner Prohibition and Excise Department, Ezhilagam Chepauk, Chenani 600 005
2. The District Collector / licensing Authority Prohibition and Excise Department, Ezhilagam Chepauk, Chennai 600 005
3. The Greater Chennai Corproation Ripon Building, Poonamallee high Road, Chennai 600 003 ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith provide access to the E-Portal to enable the petitioner to make the requisite payment and renew the FL-2 Licence for the year 2026-2027 by accepting the prescribed licence fee, notwithstanding the delay occasioned due to technical glitches in the Government portal.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s.Srenik S Jain For Respondent(s):
Mr.V.Jeevagiridharan Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
By consent of learned counsel appearing on either side, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. The present writ petition is filed praying for a writ of Mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith provide access to the E-Portal to enable the petitioner to make the requisite payment and renew the FL-2 Licence for the year 2026-2027 by accepting the prescribed licence fee, notwithstanding the delay occasioned due to technical glitches in the Government portal.
3. It is submitted that petitioner is a registered non-proprietary club functioning under the name and style of 'Vadipattiraja Hockey Academy', registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860. Petitioner club had been operating with a valid license for possession and supply of liquor to its members, in accordance with the provisions of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937. The said license requires yearly renewal. It is submitted that petitioner had periodically renewed the license, however while seeking renewal of license for the period 2026 - 2027, petitioner submitted the application along with
supporting documents through online portal, however petitioner was unable to successfully complete the payment of license fee amounting to Rs.18,47,500/-.
4. It is submitted that the failure to complete the payment was only in view of a technical glitch in the system, over which petitioner has no control. It is submitted that petitioner submitted a representation vide letter dated 01.04.2026 to respondent, to permit petitioner to either remit the payment physically or to grant access to the portal to enable petitioner to make the requisite payment. The said representation have not been acted upon. As a result, petitioner is unable to serve liquor it is members.
5. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents would submit that petitioner's representation would be considered and appropriate orders would be passed.
6. Learned counsel for petitioner would submit that petitioner club has been unable to provide the services to which the members of the club are otherwise entitled and therefore he would only requests that the exercise may be expedited.
7. Keeping in view the submissions made by both sides, this Court directs the concerned respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 01.04.2026, seeking access to the online portal to enable petitioner to make the requisite payment, and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of one (1) week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If circumstances warrant, respondent may consider whether physical payment of license fee could be permitted.
8. In view of the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No Costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 10-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ANU
To
1. The Commissioner Prohibition and Excise Department, Ezhilagam Chepauk, Chenani 600 005
2. The District Collector / licensing Authority Prohibition and Excise Department, Ezhilagam Chepauk, Chennai 600 005
3. The Greater Chennai Corproation Ripon Building, Poonamallee high Road, Chennai 600 003
MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.
ANU and WMP.No.15647 of 2026 10-04-2026