Disposed¶46

S.Neela v. the State of Tamil Nadu

Madras HC13 Mar 2026WP/10248/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Writ petition (Article 226) Madras High Court; writ of mandamus; expeditious disposal of stay application dated 03.03.2026; appeal under Section 80A Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act 1971 against lock and seal notice dated 19.02.2026 issued by respondents 5 to 7 Greater Chennai Corporation; further lock and seal notice dated 03.03.2026; appellate authority directed to decide stay application on 27.03.2026 positively; no coercive action against property till then; writ disposed of, interim application closed, no costs.

What did the court decide?

Appellate authority directed to decide the stay application positively on 27.03.2026; no coercive action against the property pursuant to the lock and seal notice till then; writ petition disposed of with no order as to costs and interim application closed. ¶46

S.Neela Vs the State of Tamil Nadu — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P.No.10248 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 13.03.2026

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CORAM :

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THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN

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W.P.No.10248 of 2026 and W.M.P.No.11106 of 2026

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S.Neela W/o.T.Srinivasan, No.36/28, New Colony First Street, Adambakkam, Chennai 600 088

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Petitioner

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

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

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3.The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, Chennai 600 003

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_______________ Page 1 of 7_

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.10248 of 2026

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4.The District Revenue Officer Zonal Officer 12, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.1, New Street, Near GST Road, Alandur, Chennai 600 016

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5.The Executive Engineer Zonal 12, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.1, New Street, Near GST Road, Alandur, Chennai 600 016

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6.The Assistant Executive Engineer Unit-36, Zonal 12, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.1, New Street, Near GST Road, Alandur, Chennai 600 016

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7.The Assistant Engineer Div-163, Unit 36 Zone 12, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.1 New Street, Near GST Road, Alandur, Chennai 600 016

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Respondents

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PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to expeditiously dispose the prayer for stay made in application on 03.03.2026 praying to stay of operation of Lock and Seal Notice dated 19.02.2026 issued by respondents 5 to 7 and stay the operation of the lock and seal notice dated 03.03.2026 till the 2nd respondent disposes the stay petition on merits.

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For Petitioner:

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Mr.U.Venkatesh for Mr.Muthuraman.V.

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For Respondents: Mr.M.Habeeb Rahman Government Advocate for R1 and R2

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_______________ Page 2 of 7_

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.10248 of 2026

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Mr.M.Suresh Kumar Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.E.C.Ramesh Standing Counsel for R3 to R7

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ORDER

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(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice)

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Heard on admission.

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The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed seeking the following relief:

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“For the reasons stated in the accompanying affidavit, most humbly pray that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ or direction in the nature of writ, directing the 2^nd respondent to expeditiously dispose the prayer for stay made in Application on 03.03.2026 praying to stay of operation of Lock and Seal Notice dated 19.02.2026 issued by respondents 5 to 7 and stay the operation of the lock and seal notice dated 03.03.2026 till the 2^nd respondent disposes the stay petition on merits and pass such further or other orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice.”

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Page 3 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.10248 of 2026

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The grievance of the petitioner is that even though the petitioner has challenged the lock and seal notice before the Government by way of appeal under Section 80A of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 along with an application for stay, yet, the stay application has not been taken up for hearing.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner apprehends that even before a decision is taken on the stay application, the respondent Corporation may proceed to execute and implement the order by putting lock and seal on the property in question.

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At this stage, learned State counsel submitted that the hearing of the stay application has been fixed on 27.03.2026 and the same shall be taken up for hearing on the said date.

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In view of the aforesaid statement made by learned State counsel, the appellate authority is directed to decide the application for stay on the next date of hearing, i.e. 27.03.2026, positively. Till then, no coercive action be taken against the property in question pursuant

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Page 4 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.10248 of 2026

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to the lock and seal notice.

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With the above observation and direction, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim application is closed.

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(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

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13.03.2026 Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No bbr

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To:

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1.The Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009

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