R.Udyakumar v. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN R.Udayakumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, Rep.By its Managing Director, CMBA Tower II, 4th Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai-8.

2. The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

3. The District Manager, TASMAC, Theni District, Theni.

4. The Chief Vigilance Officer, TASMAC, 4th Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai-8.

... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to 1/6

take appropriate action for enforcement of the Code Prevention and Detection of Fraudulent acts in Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd., 2014 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.11.2019.

For Petitioner : Ms.A.Shanmuga Priya, for M/s.Ajmal Associates For Respondents : Mr.D.Sasikumar, Addl. Govt. Pleader for R2 Mr.S.Sivanesan for R1, R3 & R4

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed this Writ Petition as a Public Interest Litigation, seeking a direction to the 1st respondent to take appropriate action for enforcement of the Code of Prevention and Detection of Fraudulent Acts in Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited, 2014 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.11.2019.

2. It is the grievance of the petitioner that a number of illegal activities are taking place in the TASMAC shops and that excess amounts are being collected while selling liquor bottles, in violation of the Code 2/6

of Prevention and Detection of Fraudulent Acts of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited. In this regard, the petitioner has also sent a representation dated 02.11.2019 to the respondents, seeking action against the officials/employees of the TASMAC shops. Since no action has been taken till date, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the second respondent submitted that, as per the order passed by a Special Bench of this Court, a buy-back scheme has been introduced in 29 districts, and in the remaining 6 districts, the scheme will be implemented at the earliest. He further submitted that, in addition, a barcode system is also to be introduced, and once it is implemented, such malpractices can be curbed.

4. We have also perused the order of the Special Bench of this Court made in W.P.(MD) No. 7606 of 2017. In the said order, the Special Bench has issued a series of directions for implementing the buy-back scheme and to ensure that all bottles carry barcodes. 3/6

5. In view of the above, as a series of orders have already been passed by the Special Bench of this Court in the above Writ Petition, no further direction is required in this Writ Petition. If any suggestion is required, the petitioner is at liberty to submit his suggestions in the pending Writ Petition before the Special Bench of this Court.

6. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed. There shall be no order as to costs.

[N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 06.04.2026 Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No vsm 4/6

To The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

5/6

N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.

AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

vsm 06.04.2026 6/6