Valarmathy V v. The Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.04.2026 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY V.Valarmathy
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.The Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai.
2.The Registrar, Tamil Nadu Siddha Medicine Council, Arumbakkam, Chennai.
3.The Director of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, Arignar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicine Campus, Arumbakkam, Chennai - 600 106.
4.The Deputy Director of Medical and Rural Services, Office of the Deputy Director of Medical and Rural Services, Virudhunagar.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the respondents from interfering with the day-to-day practice of Acupuncture System of Treatment run by the Petitioner without following due process of law. For Petitioner :
Ms.M.Lavanya For Respondents :
Mr.N.Ramesh Arumugam Government Advocate Page No.1 of 5
ORDER
The Writ Petition is filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the respondents from interfering with the day-to-day practice of the Acupuncture system of treatment carried on by the petitioner, except by following due process of law.
2. The case of the petitioner is that she possesses a duly recognized Diploma in Acupuncture, as well as a Master Diploma in Acupuncture and Food Science, and that she is also a registered practitioner with a Therapy Centre under the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professionals, bearing Enrollment No.99-5577-7712-0388. According to the petitioner, she is fully qualified to practice Acupuncture.
3. When the matter came up for admission, the said position was disputed by the respondents. The learned Government Advocate submitted that the petitioner is required to obtain approval from the appropriate authority to practice Acupuncture and must also be registered with the Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine. It was further submitted that, in order to run a clinic, the petitioner is required to obtain registration under the Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997.
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4. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.
5. Even according to the respondents, they are required to issue notice to the petitioner, call for her explanation, and thereafter, pass appropriate orders, if they come to the conclusion that the petitioner is engaged in unauthorized practice. The prayer in the Writ Petition is only to restrain interference otherwise than by due process of law.
6. In view of the above, the Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:
The respondents are at liberty to issue notice to the petitioner, afford her an opportunity of hearing, and pass orders in accordance with law. Except in such manner, the respondents shall not interfere with the petitioner's practice.
No costs.
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To 1.The Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai.
2.The Registrar, Tamil Nadu Siddha Medicine Council, Arumbakkam, Chennai.
3.The Director of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, Arignar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicine Campus, Arumbakkam, Chennai - 600 106.
4.The Deputy Director of Medical and Rural Services, Office of the Deputy Director of Medical and Rural Services, Virudhunagar.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
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