Padmavathi R v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 19.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and WMP(MD)No.12589 of 2026 Tmt.R.Padmavathi ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Additional Secretary (Technical), Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

3. The Assistant Director, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP),

4. The Commissioner,

5. Selvi M.Suganthi BE., The Commissioner,

6. Mr.Krishnakumar, Town Planning Inspector, 1/5

... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to ensure uniform, fair, and non-discriminatory enforcement of planning laws within Kovilpatti Municipality by initiating appropriate action against all similarly placed buildings alleged to have committed deviations and unauthorized constructions, in the same manner as has been done in the case of the petitioner's building NIVI PLAZA, and consider petitioner's representation dated 16.01.2026 in accordance with law within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.G.Thalaimutharasu For R1 to R3 : Mr.C.Jeganathan, Counsel for State

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The prayer in this writ petition is to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to ensure uniform, fair, and non-discriminatory enforcement of planning laws within Kovilpatti Municipality by initiating appropriate action against all similarly placed buildings alleged to have committed deviations and unauthorized constructions, in the same manner as has been done in the case of the petitioner's building NIVI PLAZA, and consider petitioner's representation dated 16.01.2026 in accordance with law within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

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2. It is the grievance of the petitioner that there are several violations in the building constructions in the area of the petitioner. However, the petitioner alone has been discriminated and action has been taken against her by sealing her premises. Hence, she seeks the above prayer.

3. We are of the view that very filing of this writ petition itself is out of the action taken against the petitioner. Without pointing out the nature of deviations by others, as a matter of right, the petitioner cannot seek such direction. An action can be initiated only on the specific instances of violations / deviations pointed out or brought to the knowledge of the officials or by inspection. Therefore, there cannot be a blanket direction to take uniform action for deviations. Every action is based on the nature of deviations / violations etc. In such a view of the matter, no Mandamus can be issued with regard to the prayer of the petitioner. We do not find any merits in this writ petition.

4. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] Index : Yes / No 19.06.2026 : Yes / No 3/5

bala To

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Additional Secretary (Technical), Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

3. The Assistant Director, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP),

4. The Commissioner, 4/5

N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.

AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

bala ORDER MADE IN DATED :

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