Madras High CourtWP/18087/2026disposed of with direction

M.Kannan, v. The District Collector,

2026-06-02Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI M.Kannan, S/o.Mayar, No.13, 4th Main Road, Sri Ayyappa Nagar, Chinmaya Nagar, Virugambakkam, Chennai 600 092.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector, Chennai.

2. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd., (TASMAC), CMDA Tower - II, 4th Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.

3. The Senior Regional Manager, No.735, IV Floor, L.L.A.Building, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

4. The District Manager, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd., (TASMAC), (Chennai Central), No.B-4, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai 600 058.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to reopen TASMAC Shop No.522 attached with bar in the petitioners premises at S.No.120 /1, Door No.2 (2), 3rd Street, Semathamman, Nagar, Sector III, Koyembedu, Chenai 600111 by considering the petitioner representation dated 07/04/2026 and permit the petitioner to continue the business in accordance with law.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.M.Mathan Raj For Respondent(s):

Mr.P.Siddarth, Government Counsel for R1 Mr.K.Sathish Kumar for R2 to R4 Order This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents to reopen TASMAC Shop with bar in the petitioners premises by considering the petitioner representation dated 07/04/2026.

2. Case of the petitioner is that he is the absolute owner of the premises bearing S.F.No.120/1, Door No.2(2), 3rd Street, Semathamman Nagar, Sector III, Koyembedu, Chennai 600 111. He has been running a liquor retail outlet in the said premises since 2001. Initially, the petitioner operated a private liquor shop under a valid license in the name ''Akila Wines'' under the Tamil Nadu Liquor (Retail Vending) Rules, 1989. Subsequently, upon the takeover of liquor retail vending by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation in 2003, the petitioner has been continuously permitted to run TASMAC Shop in the same premises and also granted license to operate a bar attached to the said shop and such licenses have been periodically renewed by the respondent authorities. While so, the respondents, without issuing any prior notice, abruptly closed TASMAC shop. Hence, the petitioner made representation dated 07.04.2026 to the respondents to reopen the shop. Since the said representation was not considered, the petitioner is before this Court.

3. Though very many grounds have been raised, learned counsel for the petitioner limited his prayer to the extent that this Court may permit the petitioner to make fresh representation to the respondents for refund of the license fee paid by the petitioner.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents has no objection for such an order being passed by this Court.

5. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

6. In view of the limited request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, permits the petitioner to make fresh representation to the respondents for refund of the license fee. If any, paid by the petitioner, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Upon receipt of any such representation, the respondents are directed to consider the same, if he is otherwise eligible for such refund, and pass appropriate orders within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of such representation from the petitioner.

7. This writ petition is disposed of with the above observations. No costs. 02-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SK To

1. The District Collector, Chennai.

2. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd., (TASMAC), CMDA Tower - II, 4th Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.

3. The Senior Regional Manager, No.735, IV Floor, L.L.A.Building, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

4. The District Manager, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd., (TASMAC), (Chennai Central), No.B-4, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai 600 058.

M.DHANDAPANI J.

sk 02-06-2026