D.Dineshbabu v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.M.P(MD)No.5177 of 2026 D.Dineshbabu ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram Collectorate, Ramanathapuram District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, Prohibition and Excise Department, Collectorate Office, Ramanathapuram.

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4.Indian Club Erode, Represented by its Secretary, D.No.2/273, Kaluvourani Road, Kuyavangudi, Ramanathapuram - 623 536.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 herein not to grant permission to establish proposed FL2 private liquor shop at D.No.2/273, Kaluvourani Road, Kuyavangudi, Ramanathapuram - 623 536 considering on the basis of the petitioner's representations dated 14.02.2026 and 16.02.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.K.Maheshraja For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R1 to R3) Special Government Pleader : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi (R2) Government Advocate

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 3 not to grant permission for establishing a proposed FL2 private liquor shop at Door No.2/273, Kaluvourani Road, Kuyavangudi, 2/6

Ramanathapuram - 623 536, by considering the petitioner's representations dated 14.02.2026 and 16.02.2026.

2.The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation, stating that the proposed private liquor shop is in close proximity to residential habitations. According to the petitioner, if an FL2 licence is granted for the said shop, it would cause public nuisance and inconvenience to the day-to-day life of the residents. In order to prevent the opening of the private liquor shop by the fourth respondent, the petitioner has submitted representations to the authorities concerned. Since the said representations have not been considered so far, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition.

3.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 and 3, on instructions, submitted that the FL2 licence has not been issued so far and that the matter is presently pending before the Revenue Divisional Officer.

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4.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr.S.P.Maharajan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 and 3, and Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, learned Government Advocate appearing for the second respondent. 5.When we questioned the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner regarding the locus standi and residential address of the petitioner, he fairly submitted that the petitioner is residing at an address different from the place where the FL2 licence is proposed to be issued. According to him, the petitioner's brother is residing in the said area. In such circumstances, we find that the petitioner has no locus standi to file the present Writ Petition in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation.

6.Considering the fact that the FL2 licence has not been issued so far and that the matter is pending before the Revenue Divisional Officer, the authorities concerned shall consider the ground reality and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law. 4/6

7.With the above observation, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 06.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps To 1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram Collectorate, Ramanathapuram District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, Prohibition and Excise Department, Collectorate Office, Ramanathapuram.

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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.

and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.

ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 06.03.2026 6/6