Disposed¶37

S.Govindarajan v. the Commissioner

Madras HC15 Apr 2026WP/13523/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras High Court writ petition (W.P.No.13523 of 2026, decided 15.04.2026) under Article 226 seeking mandamus for removal of lock and seal and permission to demolish unauthorised construction at Pollachi; petitioner ready to demolish, representation dated 14.3.2026; respondent agreed to de-seal; directions for de-sealing for three days, time-bound demolition, liberty to re-seal on default; disposed of, no costs.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of with directions: respondent to intimate three de-sealed days for demolition within a week; petitioner to demolish within those three days; failing which respondent may re-lock and seal in accordance with law; no order as to costs. ¶37

S.Govindarajan Vs the Commissioner — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether a writ of mandamus should issue directing the respondent to remove the lock and seal on the petitioner's building and permit the petitioner to demolish the unauthorised construction thereon.

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Court's answer

The respondent shall forthwith intimate the petitioner about the three days on which the premises will be kept de-sealed to enable demolition, with such communication to be sent within a week from receipt of a copy of the order.

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Ratio / Principle

On receipt of the communication from the respondent, the petitioner shall carry out the demolition within the three days indicated by the respondent.

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Key takeaways

If the petitioner fails to carry out the demolition within the stipulated time, the respondent would be at liberty to lock and seal the premises in accordance with law.ratio¶36

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.No.13523 of 2026, High Court of Judicature at Madras, decided 15.04.2026 (Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, CJ, authoring the order, and G.Arul Murugan, J). The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India directing the Commissioner, Pollachi Municipality, to remove the lock and seal on his building at Door No.1, Thagore Street, Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District, and to permit demolition of the unauthorised construction thereon. Counsel for the petitioner stated readiness to demolish within two days if de-sealed, noting a representation dated 14.3.2026 seeking permission to demolish and keep the area vacant; counsel for the respondent conveyed readiness to de-seal and sought time-bound demolition. The Court disposed of the petition directing: (i) the respondent to intimate, within a week, three days on which the premises would be kept de-sealed; (ii) the petitioner to complete demolition within those three days; and (iii) that on failure, the respondent would be free to lock and seal the premises in accordance with law. No order as to costs.

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W.P.No.13523 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 15.04.2026

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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.13523 of 2026

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S.Govindarajan S/o.N.Shanmugam Chettiyar 23, 23/1 Arumugam Nagar Mahalingapuram Polachi Taluk Coimbatore District 642002.

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Petitioner

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The Commissioner Pollachi Municipality Pollachi, Coimbatore District.

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Respondent

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PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India

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seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to remove the lock and seal on the petitioner’s building and permit the petitioner to demolish the unauthorised construction made on the petitioner’s building situated in Door No.1, Thagore Street, Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District.

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

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W.P.No.13523 of 2026

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For Petitioner: Mrs.R.Hemalatha

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For Respondent: Mr.B.Anand Standing Counsel

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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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This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to remove the lock and seal on the petitioner’s building situated in Door No.1, Thagore Street, Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District and permit him to demolish the unauthorised construction made thereon.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner, at the outset, submitted that the petitioner is ready to demolish the unauthorised construction, but is unable to demolish owing to the lock and seal put up by the respondent. She pleaded that, if two days’ time is granted, the petitioner will demolish the unauthorised construction. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner has already submitted a representation on 14.3.2026 to the respondent

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

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W.P.No.13523 of 2026

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seeking permission to demolish the unauthorised construction and keep the area on which the unauthorised construction stands as a vacant land.

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Learned counsel appearing for the respondent submitted that they are ready to de-seal the premises in question and the Court may direct demolition in a time bound manner.

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Considering the submissions made on either side, we pass the following order:

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(i) The respondent shall forthwith intimate the petitioner about the three days on which the premises in question will be kept de-sealed so as to enable the petitioner to demolish the same. Such communication shall be sent to the petitioner within a week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order;

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(ii) On receipt of such communication from the respondent, demolition shall be done by the petitioner within three days as indicated by the respondent;

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(iii) In case the demolition is not carried out by the petitioner within the time stipulated, the respondent

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

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W.P.No.13523 of 2026

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would be at liberty to lock and seal the premises in accordance with law.

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With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. There