N.Sugumar v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 06.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH N.Sugumar S/o.Natarajan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Office, Sathuvacheri, Vellore District.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Sathuvacheri, Vellore District.
3.The Tahsildar, Vellore Taluk, Vellore District.
4.The Inspector, CSCID - Chennai, Vellore District.
Crime No.259 of 2024 ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to remove the lock and seal over the petitioner's rice mill within a time frame as fixed by this Court.
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For Petitioner : Mr.M.R.Thangavel For Respondents : Mr.G.Velu, Additional Government Pleader [R1 to R3] Mr.V.Meganathan Government Advocate [Crl.side] [R4] *****
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to remove the lock and seal over the petitioner's rice mill within the time frame fixed by this Court.
2. Heard Mr.M.R.Thangavel, learned counsel for petitioner, Mr.G.Velu, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 and Mr.V.Meganathan, learned Government Advocate [Crl.side] appearing for fourth respondent.
3. The case of the petitioner is that he was running a rice mill. On 30.12.2024, the fourth respondent made a search in the rice mill and seized 1600 kgs. of dhal and 1500 kgs. of rice. A First Information Report came to be registered in Crime No.259 of 2024 for offences under the Essential Commodities Act and TNSC (RDCS) Order, 1982. The petitioner was arrested and later, was enlarged on bail. In the mean time, 2/6
on 05.01.2025, the third respondent locked and sealed the rice mill. According to the petitioner, paddy had been stored and if the lock and seal continues, the entire goods will be damaged and that apart, all the machineries will also be damaged and the petitioner will face hardship. Hence, the petitioner made a representation to the third respondent to remove the lock and seal. Since the same was not considered, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.
4. When the writ petition was taken up for hearing today, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 produced the written instructions received from the District Revenue Officer, Vellore. On going through the same, it is seen that a First Information Report came to be registered in Crime No.259 of 2024 against the petitioner and others. The investigation has been completed and the police report has also been filed before the concerned Court. In the mean time, the rice mill of the petitioner was locked and sealed. It is further stated that if the fourth respondent does not have any objection, the lock and seal can be removed.
5. Learned Government Advocate [Crl.side] appearing for the 3/6
fourth respondent submitted that huge quantity of essential commodities was seized from the rice mill and investigation has been completed and the police report has been filed before the learned Judicial Magistrate IV, Vellore and the same is yet to be taken on file.
6. Taking into the consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the fact that investigation has been completed in the criminal case and the police report has been filed, which is yet to be taken on file by the learned Judicial Magistrate and also considering the fact that the lock and seal is continuing from 05.01.2025 and no useful purpose will be served in keeping the rice mill under lock and seal, this Court is inclined to direct the second respondent to remove the lock and seal in the rice mill after getting a written undertaking from the petitioner that he will not involve in commission of any offence under the Essential Commodities Act. It is left open to the petitioner to raise all the grounds before the concerned Court where the final report has been filed. The second respondent shall complete the process within a period of one (1) week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No 4/6
costs.
06.08.2025 Note: Issue order copy by 07.08.2025 Index: Yes/no Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order gm To 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Office, Sathuvacheri, Vellore District.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Sathuvacheri, Vellore District.
3.The Tahsildar, Vellore Taluk, Vellore District.
4.The Inspector, CSCID - Chennai, Vellore District.
Crime No.259 of 2024 5/6
N.ANAND VENKATESH, J gm 06.08.2025 6/6