M.Veeraraj v. The Joint Chief Controller Of Explosives
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :23.02.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)Nos.3255 and 233 of 2026 and WMP(MD) Nos.2677, 2679 and 2683 and 246 of 2026 WP(MD) No.3255 of 2026 M.Veeraraj ... Petitioner Vs
1. The Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (Peso) A and D Wing, Block 1 to 8, 2nd Floor Shastri Bhavan, No.26, Shaddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2. The Territory Manager,, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Thiruparankundram Road, Opposite to Hotel Taj, Pasumalai, Madurai 625004, Madurai District.
3. M.Ramkumar, S/o Muthukrishnan No.89, Kambar Street, Pasumpon Nagar, Palanganatham, Madurai 625 003.
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4. Rajeswari, W/o Muthukrishnan No.50, Manakkattur Kudagipatti,Dindigul District.
...
Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the Impugned Order passed by the 1st respondent dated 21.01.2026 in No.P/SC/TN/14/10307 (P556753) and quash the same and consequently direct the Respondents 1 and 2 to continue the Petroleum Products to the Petitioners retail outlet situated at Survey No.207/1A2 of Kudagipatti Village, Manakkattur, Natham Taluk, Dindigul District, as per the terms and conditions of the Letter of Appointment dated 31.03.20236 in MRT.NRO.LOA. MANAKKATOOR issued by the 1st respondent till the Lease period (8.2.2043) is completed vide document No.279 of 2023 on the file of the Sub Registrar Senthurai. For Petitioner :Mr.V.Muthukamatchi For Respondents :Mr.S.Natesh Raja for R2 Mr.S.Ramesh for R3 and R4 Mr.C.Amilthan for R1 WP(MD) No.233 of 2026 M.Veeraraj ... Petitioner Vs
1. The Territory Manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Thiruparankundram Road, Opposite to Hotel Taj, Pasumlai Madurai 625004, 2/9
Madurai District..
2. M.Ramkumar, S/o.Muthukrishnan, No.89, Kambar Street, Pasumpon Nagar, Palanganatham, Madurai 625 003..
3. Rajeswari, W/o.Muthukrishnan, No.50, Manakkattur, Kudagipatti, Dindigul District..
4. The Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (Peso), A and D Wing, Block 1 to 8, 2nd Floor, Shastri Bhavan, No.26, Shaddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of MANDAMUS directing 1st respondent to continue to supply the petroleum products to the petitioner's Filling Station namely RAM VEERA FILLING STATION situated at Survey No.207/1A2 of Kudagipatti Village, Manakkattur, Natham Taluk, Dindigul District, as per the terms and conditions of the Letter of Appointment dated 31.03.2023 in MRT.NRO. LOA.MANAKKATOOR issued by the 1st respondent till the Lease period (8.2.2043) is completed vide document No.279 of 2023 on the file of the Sub-Registrar Senthurai.
For Petitioner :Mr.J.Barathan for Mr.V.Sasikumar For Respondents :Mr.S.Natesh Raja for R1 Mr.C.Amilthan for R4 3/9
Mr.S.Ramesh for R2 and R3 COMMON ORDER WP(MD) No.3255/2026 : Challenge is made to the impugned order of the 1st respondent dated 21.01.2026 and for a consequential direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to continue the petroleum products to the petitioners retail outlet situated at Survey No.207/1A2 of Kudagipatti Village, Manakkattur, Natham Taluk, Dindigul District.
2. WP(MD) No.233/2026: Writ Petition is filed for a mandamus to direct the 1st respondent to continue to supply the petroleum products to the petitioner's Filling Station namely RAM VEERA FILLING STATION situated at Survey No.207/1A2 of Kudagipatti Village, Manakkattur, Natham Taluk, Dindigul District, as per the terms and conditions of the Letter of Appointment dated 31.03.2023 in MRT.NRO. LOA.MANAKKATOOR issued by the 1st respondent till the Lease period (8.2.2043) is completed vide document No.279 of 2023 on the file of the Sub-Registrar Senthurai.
3. When the matter came up for hearing on 05.02.2026, this Court passed the following order:
"Mr.C.Amilthan, learned Counsel takes notice for 4/9
the first respondent and Mr.S.Natesh Raja, learned Counsel takes notice for the second respondent. 2.Notice to the respondents 3 & 4 through Court as well as privately, returnable by 20.02.2026.
3.Challenge has been made against the impugned order of the first respondent dated 21.01.2026. 4.Learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has been awarded with the Retail Outlet Dealership by the second respondent with effect from 31.03.2023. The license was renewed by the second respondent last year but for the current year, due to the notice issued by the third respondent, who is none other than the elder brother of the petitioner, the respondents 1 & 2 has suspended the supply of the petroleum products to the petitioner. Learned Counsel for the petitioner would further submit that the license period expired on 31.12.2025 and 30 days grace period is available to the petitioner. However, the petitioner has applied for renewal of his license on 29.12.2025, well before the expiry of the license period.
5.Learned Counsel for the petitioner would further submit that the petitioner got the land through a registered lease deed from his mother for running the petroleum outlet and the said lease is for 19 years and the lease deed was also submitted before the official respondents. Under these circumstances, on 21.01.2026, 5/9
the respondents 1 & 2 suspended the supply of the petroleum products to the petitioner citing the reason of pendency of a Writ Petition in W.P.(MD)No.233 of 2026, which was filed seeking not to stop the supply of petroleum products.
6.Considering the facts and circumstances of the present case, this Court is of the view that the lease period is for 19 years, which is very much available. In the event of any dispute between the petitioner and the respondents 3 & 4, the same has to be decided by the civil Court. The license granted to the petitioner for setting up petroleum outlet is not only for the benefit of the petitioner but it is for the benefit of the public at large. Public interest is foremost important than private interest. While that being so, merely because of some private dispute, suspending the supply of petroleum products is not proper. Hence, this Court directs the second respondent to start supply the petroleum products to the petitioner, immediately upon the receipt of this order.
7.It is submitted by the learned Counsel for the first respondent that the first respondent has already returned the application of the petitioner for renewal of license to the second respondent. Hence, the second respondent is directed to re-submit the application of the petitioner to the first respondent, in which case, the first 6/9
respondent is directed to renew the license, if it is otherwise in order. If at all the petitioner or the respondents 1 & 2 anticipate any issue preventing the functioning of the petroleum bunk at the instance of the third and fourth respondents, the petitioner and the respondents 1 & 2 shall lodge a complaint before the police, in which, concerned police is directed to give sufficient police protection forthwith.
8.Post on 20.02.2026."
4. Today, when the matters were taken up for hearing, the learned counsel appearing on either side would submit that the earlier orders of this Court has been duly complied with. It is also submitted that a civil suit is pending.
5. In view of the above, while recording the compliance of the order of this Court and the order shall continue till the disposal of the suit, the parties are directed to agitate their rights in the pending civil suit in OS No.41/2025 on the file of the District Munsif Court, Natham, Dindigul District.
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6. Accordingly, these writ petitions are disposed of. No costs. Consequently connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 23.02.2026 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No RR 8/9
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.
RR W.P.(MD)Nos.3255 and 233 of 2026 23.02.2026 9/9