The Branch Head v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 03.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P.(MD)No.5862 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.4882 and 4883 of 2026 The Branch Head, Tamilnadu Mercantile Bank Ltd., Thiyagarajanagar, Tirunelveli.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Commissioner, Tirunelveli Municipal Corporation, Tirunelveli.

2.Kavitha Arumugam

...Respondents

PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records on the file of the 1st respondent pertinent to the impugned notice in Na,Ka.No.TP2/5520/2025 dated 18.02.2026 and to quash the same and consequently direct the 1st respondent to grant 3 months time so as to enable the petitioner to locate an ideal place in consonance with Reserve Bank of india guidelines for housing the entire system of the bank. 1/5

For Petitioner : Mr.SC.Herold Singh For Respondents : Mr.A.Sivanupandian (R1) Standing Counsel

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The instant writ petition is filed seeking to quash the notice issued by the first respondent dated 18.02.2026 to lock and seal the subject premises and to direct the first respondent to grant 3 months time so as to enable the petitioner to locate an ideal place in consonance with Reserve Bank of India guidelines for housing the entire system of the bank.

2.It is the contention of the petitioner that the second respondent is the owner of the subject premises and the petitioner Bank was inducted as tenant in the subject premises on 25.08.2025. While so on 18.02.2026, the first respondent issued notice claiming that there are some deviations in the building constructed by the second respondent and the building will be put under lock and seal on 05.03.2026.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner Bank is having more than 300 customers and providing locker facilities. Since there are some deviation in the subject building, the 2/5

petitioner Bank is ready to shift the branch to an alternative premises. However, shifting the entire banking operations within the time stipulated by the first respondent would be a difficult task. Therefore, the petitioner seeks three months time to vacate the premises and relocate the branch and until such time, the first respondent shall be restrained from taking coercive action against the subject premises. 4.Considering the above said submission, the first respondent is directed not to seal the subject building till 03.06.2026. In the meantime, the petitioner Bank shall vacate the premises. The first respondent is at liberty to proceed in accordance with law once the petitioner Bank vacates the premises or after 04.06.2026. 5.With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

[N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 03.03.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes ta 3/5

To The Commissioner, Tirunelveli Municipal Corporation, Tirunelveli.

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N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.

AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

ta W.P.(MD)No.5862 of 2026 03.03.2026 5/5