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Madras High CourtWP/25744/2022disposed of

R. Sujith(Minor) v. The Ministry Of Petroleum And Natural Gas

2026-03-17Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY R. Sujith(Minor), Rep. by his Natural Guardian, Father, N.Ramamurthy , S/o. Natarajan, No.6, Mukambigai Nagar, St. Peters College (Near), Annanoor Avadi, Chennai 54.

Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.

2.The Joint Director, Explosives Department of Tamil Nadu and Pondichery, Uthaman Gandhi Salai, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.

3.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., (Regional Office) No.1, 11th Main Road, Ranganathan Garden, Anna Nagar, Chennai 40.

4.M/s. Saravana Agency, No.2, Trunk Road, VGN Nagar, Iyyapanthangal, Chennai 56.

Respondent(s) PRAYER:-Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for an issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4

to consider the written representation of the petitioners father dated 5.07.2022 and consequently direct the Respondents 1 to 4 jointly and severally liable to pay a sum of Rs. 1,00,00,000/- (Rupees one Crore only) as compensation for the physical and mental injury sustained by the petitioner viz., Sujith within a fixed time period as stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.M.Ganesan For Respondent(s):

Mr.B.Sudhir Kumar Senior Panel Counsel For R1 & R2 Mr.M.Vijayan For M/s.King & Partridge For R3

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to consider the written representation of the petitioner's father dated 5.07.2022 and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 4 jointly and severally liable to pay a sum of Rs.1,00,00,000/- (Rupees one Crore only) as compensation for the physical and mental injury sustained by the petitioner viz., Sujith within a fixed time period as stipulated by this Court.

2.Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that on 03.01.2021, the maternal uncle of the petitioner taken the petitioner along with him for fuelling his bike to the 4th respondents, petrol bunk, who has taken up the dealership from the 3rd respondent. While fuelling the bike, suddenly the fire broke and

spread over the body of the petitioner's uncle and the petitioner. Due to which, both of them sustained fire injuries. The petitioner's father incurred an expenses to a tune of Rs.20 Lakhs for the treatment of the petitioner. Therefore, the petitioner's father made a representation before the respondents 1 to 4 seeking compensation for the burn injuries sustained by the petitioner and for the mental agony and stress undergone by the petitioner. Since the said representation was not considered, the present writ petition has been filed. 3.Learned Senior Panel counsel appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 and the learned counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent would submit that the representation dated 05.07.2022, will be considered within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

4.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner; learned Senior Panel counsel appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 and the learned counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent.

5.Considering the submissions made by either parties and in view of the limited prayer sought for in this writ petition, this Court directs the respondents to consider the representation dated 05.07.2022 made by the petitioner's father and pass order on merits and in accordance with law within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Further, considering the

fact that the petitioner has agitated the issue before this Court from the year 2022, in the event, the petitioner is not satisfied with the order passed by the respondents, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the appropriate Civil Court or the Consumer Forum, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of the order passed by the respondents.

6.With the aforesaid directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 17-03-2026 rst Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes

To 1.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.

2.The Joint Director, Explosives Department of Tamil Nadu and Pondichery, Uthaman Gandhi Salai, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.

3.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., (Regional Office), No.1, 11th Main Road, Ranganathan Garden, Anna Nagar, Chennai 40.

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.

rst 17-03-2026