Madras High CourtWP(MD)/15182/2026disposed of

Veerapandi v. The District Collector

2026-06-05Honourable Mr Justice D.Bharatha Chakravarthy6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 05.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)Nos.11367 and 11369 of 2026 Veerapandi ... Petitioner(s) - Vs. - 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thoothukudi District 2.The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd, 4th Floor, Cmda Building Tower Ii, Ganthi Irwin Bride Road, Egmore, Chennai -600 008 3.The Senior Regional Manager, Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd, No. 100, Anna Nagar, Madurai City 4.The District Manager, Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd, Tasmac, Thoothukudi District.

... Respondent(s)

Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a WRIT OF MANDAMUS directing the No. 2 to 4th Respondents to forthwith reopen and permit the functioning of TASMAC Shop No. 10146 situated at Kadalkudi Road, Nagalapurampudur, Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District which has been unlawfully closed without issuing any order, notice or proceedings known to law and by considering the Petitioners E Mail and also representation dated 3.6.2026 and pass such other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner :Mr.T.Manikandan For Respondents :Mr.P.Rajagopalan Government Standing Counsel

ORDER

This writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the 4th respondent to forthwith reopen and permit the functioning of TASMAC Shop No.10146 situated at Kadalkudi Road, Nagalapurampudur, Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District.

2.The petitioner is the licensee for selling snacks, water bottle and collection of bottles. The petitioner's tenure is to end on 30.06.2026

while prematurely the bar is closed and therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.

3.The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner would submit that the respondents have adopted an arbitrary policy of picking and choosing the shop and there is no rationale in choosing the particular bar. The learned counsel would also submit that in spite of the announcement, 20 other bars which are more deserving to be closed are not closed, while this bar alone is closed. No proper orders have been passed and no opportunity of hearing has been granted to the petitioner. 4.Mr.P.Rajagoplan, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent would oppose the prayer and submit that already the issue has been decided by this Court.

5.With reference to the question of arbitrariness in choosing the shop, the legitimate expectation, the procedure adopted, have all been considered by this Court and decided against the bar licensees and in favour of the closing of the shop, as the same is in pursuant to the

directive principles of state policy, by the judgment of this Court dated 20.05.2026 in Rajesh Kannan Vs. Secretary, Home Prohibition and Excise Department and others(WP(MD)Nos.14245 of 2026 etc). Therefore, the prayer in the writ petition cannot also be entertained. However, if any extra amount is paid by the petitioner towards the license fee which covers beyond the period of closure and the deposit amount, if any, given by the petitioner shall be considered and refunded as early as possible. The petitioner shall make a representation within one week from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order and orders shall be passed within two weeks there from and the amount if any determined shall be paid to the petitioner. 6.In view of the above, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 05.06.2026 NCC:Yes/No Ns

To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thoothukudi District 2.The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd, 4th Floor, Cmda Building Tower Ii, Ganthi Irwin Bride Road, Egmore, Chennai -600 008 3.The Senior Regional Manager, Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd, No. 100, Anna Nagar, Madurai City 4.The District Manager, Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd, Tasmac, Thoothukudi District.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

Ns and W.M.P(MD)Nos.11367 and 11369 of 2026 05.06.2026