Chithira B v. The Appellate Authority

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 09.12.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR Chithira B.

... Petitioner Vs.

The Appellate Authority The Development Commissioner cum Secretary (Revenue), Government of Puducherry, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry - 605 001.

... Respondent Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondent to dispose of the Appeal No.TRT NRO.18 pending on the file of the respondent within a fixed timeframe to be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :

Ms.S.Akila For Respondent :

Mr.R.Sreedhar Additional Government Pleader (Pondy)

O R D E R

The petitioner seeks a direction to the respondent to dispose of the Appeal No.TRT NRO.18 pending on the file of the respondent within a

fixed time frame.

2.It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner applied before the District Magistrate, Puducherry, for No Objection Certificate (NOC) to establish a BPCL MS/HSD Retail Outlet at Olandai Revenue Village, Puducherry. The BPCL issued a Letter of Intent on 14.03.2024 indicating provisional approval. Subsequently, the petitioner also obtained comprehensive approvals from all relevant Government agencies. However, the District Magistrate rejected the NOC application by order dated 11.03.2025 on various grounds. Aggrieved over the same, the petitioner preferred an appeal in Appeal No.TRT NRO.18 before the respondent/Appellate Authority on 18.03.2025. Though it is more than 210 days since the Appeal has been filed, the same is yet to be disposed by the respondent. Hence, the present writ.

3.Mr.R.Sreedhar, learned Additional Government Pleader (Pondy), takes notice for the respondent.

4.Considering the limited nature of the relief sought by the petitioner in this writ petition, without expressing any opinion on the contentions

raised by the petitioner in the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition, this Court directs the respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner in Appeal No.TRT NRO.18, on its own merits and in accordance with law, and pass appropriate orders within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 09.12.2025 mkn Internet : Yes Index : Yes / No Speaking order : Yes / No To The Appellate Authority The Development Commissioner cum Secretary (Revenue), Government of Puducherry, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry - 605 001.

N. SATHISH KUMAR, J.

mkn 09.12.2025