Sathrak, v. The Secretary To Government,
2026:MHC:2495 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 01.07.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL and W.M.P(MD)Nos.13636 and 13638 of 2026 Sathrak : Petitioner Vs 1.The Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Khathi Village, Textiles and Handlooms Department, St. Geroge Fort, Chennai-6009.
2.The Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu Kathi and Village Industries Board, 1st Floor, Chennai House, Chennai-104.
3.The Deputy Director, Kathi and Village Industries Board, Bypass Road, Near PRC Deport, Madurai-10.
4.The Assistant Director, Khadi and Village Industries, St. Thomas Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.
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5.Y.Nallathambi 6.Marthandam Beekeepers Co-operative Society, Rep. by its Administrator, O/o. Vettuvenni Junction, Marthandam Post, Nalloor Village, Vilavancode Taluk, Kanyakumari District-629 165.
: Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the resolution No.6 of the sixth respondent society's minute dated 20.06.2026 in respect of ICDP loan repayment from the society's exchequer and quash the same as null and void. For Petitioner : M/s.D.Ajitha Thrase For Respondents : Mr.M.P.Senthil Counsel for State of TN for R1 Mr.C.Rajakumar Standing Counsel for R2 to R4 Mr.G.Mohankumar for R5
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by C.V.Karthikeyan, J.) Mr.M.P.Senthil, learned Counsel for State of Tamil Nadu takes notice for the first respondent, Mr.C.Rajakumar, learned Standing 2/6
Counsel takes notice for the respondents 2 to 4 and Mr.G.Mohan Kumar, learned counsel takes notice for the fifth respondent.
2. The writ petition has been filed ostensibly as a Public Interest Litigation in the nature of a writ of Certiorari, seeking the records relating to Resolution No.6 of the sixth respondent Society, namely, the Marthandam Beekeepers Co-operative Society at Vilavancode Taluk, Kanyakumari District, dated 20.06.2026, relating to the repayment of the ICDP loan from the Society's exchequer, and to quash the same.
3. When a specific relief is sought relating to a particular Society, more particularly with respect to a specific resolution passed by that Society, the writ can never be termed as a Public Interest Litigation. It is also to be noted that the petitioner does not claim to be a member of the said Society. He is a stranger to the Society. It is not known why he insists on interfering with the affairs of the Society. As a matter of fact, it is claimed that he had filed an earlier writ petition, and the present writ petition appears to be a cut and paste copy of the earlier writ petition. That writ petition had been dismissed by a learned Single Judge of this 3/6
Court. The petitioner claims that liberty was granted to him to file a Public Interest Litigation. A Public Interest Litigation ought to be filed by a public-spirited individual, drawing the attention of the Court and seeking assistance in bringing to order any aspect that directly affects the public at large. It cannot be resorted to when there is a private grievance or to wreak vengeance on a particular private individual or Society, as in this case.
4. Be that as it may, we are not inclined to examine even the nature of the resolution passed, particularly because Section 81 of the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983, provides a statutory relief for enquiries and investigations into the affairs of any Society. The Legislature has not only enacted a particular provision of law in this regard but has also framed rules. Rule 104 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Rules, 1988, provides the procedure regarding enquiry, inspection and investigation. When there is a specific statutory procedure available, it is only appropriate that such procedure is followed. A Public Interest Litigation cannot be filed to put into effect any procedure unless it is shown that the authority has deliberately failed 4/6
to follow the said procedure. That is not the grievance raised in the present case. Therefore, we are not inclined to issue notice to the respondents.
5. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (C.V.K., J) & (R.S.V., J) 01.07.2026 sji NCC : Yes To The Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Khathi Village, Textiles and Handlooms Department, St. Geroge Fort, Chennai-6009.
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C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.
and R.SAKTHIVEL, J.
sji
ORDER
IN Date : 01.07.2026 6/6