The Tamil Nadu Commerce Institutes Association v. The Principal Secretary To The Government

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 07.01.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD).No.13827 of 2022 and WMP(MD).No.9821 of 2022 The Tamil Nadu Commerce Institutes' Association Rep.by its Liaison Officer 16/20A, Nandhikovil Street Trichy 620 002 ....Petitioner -Vs1.The Principal Secretary to the Government Higher Education Department Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat Fort St.George Chennai 09 2.The Director /Commissioner Directorate of Technical Education Chennai 600 025.

...Respondents

Prayer: This Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records comprised in Lr.No. 103937/R1/2022 dated 26.05.2022 issued by the second respondent and quash the same as being arbitrary, illegal and contrary to principles of natural justice.

For Petitioner : Mr.Raguvaran Gopalan For Respondents : Mr.N.Satheeshkumar Additional Government Pleader 1/5

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed by Tamil Nadu Commerce Institutes' Association seeking to quash the order passed by the second respondent herein on 26.05.2022 wherein the petitioner Association has been directed not to use the term "Recognized by the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu" in the letter pad.

2. A perusal of the records reveal that the petitioner association is registered under Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. The office bearers of the said association are being regularly invited by the second respondent, as a stakeholder to take any policy decision. By way of impugned order, they are likely to exclude the petitioner association from participating in the meeting.

3. Per contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the second respondent is not having any statutory backing to recognise or derecognise any association. Therefore, in such circumstances, the petitioner association cannot use the term that they are recognised by the second respondent in their letter pad. In such circumstances, the order may be sustained.

4.I have considered the submissions made on either side and perused the material records.

5.As rightly contended by the learned counsel for the second respondent, the second respondent is not having any statutory authority to 2/5

recognise or derecognise any association much less the petitioner association. The petitioner association is already registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. In such circumstances, the petitioner association cannot use the term that they are recognised by the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, this Court does not find any illegality or irregularity in the order impugned in the writ petition. However, the second respondent may consult the petitioner association while taking major policy decision.

6.With the above said observations, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 07.01.2026 Internet : Yes/No Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No msa 3/5

To 1.The Principal Secretary to the Government Higher Education Department Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat Fort St.George Chennai 09 2.The Director /Commissioner Directorate of Technical Education Chennai 600 025 3.The Record Keeper, Vernacular Section, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR, J.

msa Order made in W.P.(MD).No.13827 of 2022 and WMP(MD).No.9821 of 2022 07.01.2026 5/5