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Madras High CourtWP/23398/2026disposed of

K.Anandhan v. The Chairman Cum Managing Director

2026-06-19Honourable Ms. Justice P.T. Asha5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and WMP Nos.25355 & 25356 of 2026 K.Anandhan ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Chairman Cum Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), Tower II 4th Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai 08.

2. The Senior Regional Manager, B4, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai 58.

3. The District Manager / Deputy Collector (South), Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), B4 Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai 058.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the 3rd respondent culminating in the show cause notice in Na.Ka.No. CV1 / 288/2026 dated 11.06.2026 and quash the same and further direction to the respondents to drop all further actions like suspending the petitioner from service as supervisor in Tasmac Shop No. 507, Adambakkam, Chennai 88.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.B.Gopalakrishnan For Respondent(s):

Ms.V.S.Saranya, Standing Counsel

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking to quash the show cause notice dated 11.06.2026 issued by the third respondent in Na.Ka.No. CV1 / 288/2026 and consequently, direct the respondents to drop all further actions like suspending the petitioner from service as supervisor in Tasmac Shop No. 507, Adambakkam, Chennai 88.

2.

The case of the petitioner is that he was appointed as a TASMAC Shop Supervisor on 25.11.2003 and is presently serving at TASMAC Shop No.902, Kottur, Chennai. On 09.06.2026, a surprise inspection was conducted by the DC Flying Squad at the said shop. At the time of inspection, the petitioner was not present in the shop, having proceeded to the Head Office for official work relating to the placement of indent. The salesman, Mr.S.Senthilkumar, was alone present in the shop. Subsequently, based on allegations that the salesman had sold a liquor bottle at a price exceeding the MRP by Rs.10/-, the third respondent issued a show-cause notice dated 11.06.2026 to the petitioner proposing action against him. The further case of the petitioner is that he has no role in the alleged transaction and cannot be held vicariously liable for the independent act of the salesman, especially when he was not present at the shop during the inspection. The petitioner submitted a

detailed explanation on 13.06.2026 denying the allegations. However, apprehending coercive action, including suspension from service, despite the absence of any material connecting him with the alleged MRP violation, the petitioner has approached this Court challenging the show-cause notice dated 11.06.2026.

3.

Heard the learned counsel on both sides and perused the materials available on record.

4.

A perusal of the records reveals that the impugned proceedings are only in the nature of a show-cause notice calling upon the petitioner to submit his explanation with regard to the alleged MRP violation. It is also seen that the petitioner has already submitted a detailed explanation denying the allegations. This Court is of the view that ordinarily a show-cause notice cannot be interfered with at the threshold unless it is shown to be wholly without jurisdiction or patently illegal. The contentions raised by the petitioner, including his plea that he was not present at the shop at the relevant point of time and that the alleged violation was committed by the saleman, are matters to be considered by the competent authority while passing final orders. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to quash the impugned show-cause notice at this stage.

5.

Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the third respondent to consider the explanation submitted by the petitioner dated 13.06.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to the petitioner, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till such final orders are passed, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner solely on the basis of the impugned show-cause notice dated 11.06.2026. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 19-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VKR To 1.The Chairman Cum Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), Tower II 4th Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai 08.

2.The Senior Regional Manager, B4, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai 58.

3.The District Manager / Deputy Collector (South), Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), B4 Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai 058.

P.T.ASHA, J.

VKR 19-06-2026 (2/2)