Marichamy v. The Principal Secretary To Government
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 10.06.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.26720 of 2025 and 5224 of 2026 Marichamy ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
3.The Regional Transport Officer, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.
4.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corp., (Tirunelveli Region), Vannarapettai, Tirunelveli District.
... 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 2 and 3 1/6
to take appropriate action to stop plying the Government Bus between Sankarankovil to Suppulapuram route and consequently forbear the third respondent from issuing any new permit to any bus between Sankarankovil to Suppulapuram route by considering the petitioner's representation dated 15.10.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.K.Navaneetharaja For Respondents : Mr.R.Parthiban Government Standing Counsel for R1 to R3 Mr.K.Ramaiah for R4
ORDER
The Writ Petition is filed or a Mandamus directing the respondents 2 and 3 to take appropriate action to stop plying the Government bus between Sankarankovil and Suppulapuram route and consequently, forbear the third respondent from issuing any new permit to any bus between the Sankarankovil and Suppulapuram route by considering the petitioner's representation dated 15.10.2025.
2. It can be seen that, when the matter earlier came up for hearing, the third respondent, who appeared in person before the Court, seems to have 2/6
erroneously contended that no permit at all is required for the Governmentrun Corporation to operate new buses. Recording the said submissions, this Court had also granted an interim order.
3. Today, when the matter came up for hearing, the learned Government Standing Counsel submitted that no bus would be operated without a valid permit. The same is recorded. As far as the consequential prayer not to grant any new permit is concerned, the same cannot be considered in an anticipatory manner. If the petitioner is also a person plying in the said route, then, as and when any procedure is undertaken for granting a new route to the Government bus, it will be open for the petitioner to contest the same in the manner known to law, if he has a legal right as per the Scheme and the provisions of the Act.
4. Therefore, with such liberty to the respondents to duly grant permission by following the rule of law and for the petitioner to contest the same in the manner known to law, recording the submissions made by the learned Government Standing Counsel that no bus will be operated without 3/6
proper permit, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 10.06.2026 NCC : Yes/No sji TO 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
3.The Regional Transport Officer, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
sji
ORDER
IN WP(MD) No.33824 of 2025 Date : 10/06/2026 5/6
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