Subam Traders v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY Subam Traders, Rep. by its Proprietor, M.RameshKannan, S/o.Mariappan, No.211D/216E, South Devathanam, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

2.Ramachandiran, Tahsildar, Rajapalayam Taluk, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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3.Kothandam, Deputy Tahsildar, Rajapalayam Taluk, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

4.Ramanathan, Special Tahsildar, (Civil Supplies), Rajapalayam Taluk, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

5.The Godown Superintendent, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Muthukudi Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representation dated 04.04.2023 submitted in regard to take appropriate action against the 2 to 5 respondents for retaining the R.C. Book of his load Van bearing Registration No.TN 92 E 3687 2/7

(Ashok Leyland Dost) and thereby direct the respondents 2 to 4 to pay a compensation of Rs.12,00,000/- lakhs and Rs.29,000/- for damaging his store room and amount recovered from him within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Mohanasundaram For Respondent No.1 : Mrs.S.Jeyapriya, Government Advocate For Respondents 2 to 4 : Mr.A.V.Arun For Respondent No.5 : Mr.K.R.Badurus Zaman, Government Advocate

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking to direct the first respondent to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representation dated 04.04.2023, seeking to take appropriate action against the 2 to 5 respondents for retaining the R.C. Book of his load Van bearing Registration No.TN 92 E 3687 (Ashok Leyland Dost) and thereby direct the respondents 2 to 4 to pay a compensation of Rs.12,00,000/- lakhs and Rs.29,000/- for damaging his store room and amount recovered from him. 3/7

2.The learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is doing black and broken rice reselling business in the name and style Subam Traders. On 02.02.2023, the respondents 2 & 3 seized the petitioner's load van bearing Registration No.TN 92 E 3687 (Ashok Leyland Dost) with 35 bags of black rice as if those rice bags belong to Civil Supplies Corporation. Further, the respondents 2 & 3 have broke open the petitioner's store room and seized 250 bags of black and broken rice and damaged the store room. Further, the respondents 2 & 3 have also retained the petitioner's R.C. Book. Hence the present Writ Petition.

3.Learned Government Advocate appearing for the respective respondents would submit that since the rice bags found in the load van of the petitioner was considered to a PDS rice, it was seized by the official respondents and thereafter, as per the direction of this Court in W.P.(MD)No.3298 of 2023 dated 03.03.2023, the seized goods were released. He further submitted that the original RC book is not available with them, the same has already been handed over to the petitioner. Therefore, they are not liable to pay any compensation.

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4.In the present case, though initially action was taken by the officials 2 to 5 for transporting PDS rice, later as per the direction of this Court in W.P.(MD)No.3298 of 2023 dated 03.03.2023, the seized goods were released. The respondents have only discharged their duties. When the respondents state that they are not in possession of the petitioner's RC book, then certainly, the petitioner can apply for duplicate copy of the same. Rather, filing a Writ Petition for payment of compensation for not returning his RC book is unwarranted. Therefore, no action can be taken against the official respondents as they have only discharged their duties. Hence, there is no merit in this Writ Petition. 5.Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

02.02.2026 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No MR 5/7

To 1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

2.The Godown Superintendent, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Muthukudi Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

MR 02.02.2026 7/7