Manjula Vs the Addl. Chief Secretary to Government — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

Manjula Vs the Addl. Chief Secretary to Government — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Dismissed

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, who was not a party to W.P.No.3822 of 2025 (the proceedings pursuant to which the enquiry is now being undertaken), can maintain a fresh writ petition seeking a mandamus to direct the fourth respondent not to conduct the enquiry into the redemption of the pledged jewels.

Court's answer

A person who was not a party to the earlier writ proceedings must pursue his grievance by filing an appeal against the order passed in those proceedings; he cannot bring a fresh writ petition seeking to stall the proceedings now being undertaken pursuant to that order.

Ratio / Principle

The present writ petition is devoid of merits and is accordingly dismissed, with no order as to costs.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Mandamus to stall statutory co-operative enquiry refused. The petitioner (Manjula) sought a writ of mandamus under Article 226 to direct the fourth respondent (Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Dharmapuri Circle) not to conduct the enquiry into the redemption of pledged jewels made through Na.Ka.No.1082/2026/SaPa1, dated 25.03.2026. The enquiry flows from this Court's order dated 11.12.2025 in W.P.No.3822 of 2025, filed by the sixth respondent (K.Rajendran) seeking quashing of the order in Na.Ka.175/2022-23/C4, dated 22.01.2025 and commencement of a statutory enquiry under Section 81 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983 into irregularities in the gold jewel loan accounts of T.K.Kalidoss; that order set aside the earlier impugned order, directed appointment of an officer of Additional Registrar rank to examine the papers afresh within eight weeks, with liberty to initiate Section 81 action or disciplinary proceedings. Held (K. Surender, J.): a person not a party to the earlier writ proceedings must seek relief by way of appeal against the order therein and cannot file a fresh writ petition to stall the proceedings undertaken pursuant to that order. Petition dismissed as devoid of merits; no costs.

WP No. 19572 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05-06-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER

WP No. 19572 of 2026

Manjula W/o. Late. Cholarajan, D.No.265 Keelaiyur Main, Okkanadu Village, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur District

..Petitioner

Vs.

The Addl. Chief Secretary to Government Co.op., Food and Consumer Protection Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.

The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, N.V.N. Maligai, Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.

The Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Dharmapuri Region , Dharmapuri District

The Deputy Registrar Of Co- Operative Societies Dharmapuri Circle, Dharmapuri District

K.K.349 Dharmapuri District Central Coop. Bank, Rep. By its Managing Director, 10/11, Nethaji bypass road, P.O.box No.16, Dharmapuri-636 701.

Rajendran S/o. Late. Kalidas, No. 168, Vadku Street, Keezhiyur Village, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur District-614 625

..Respondents

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Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the 4th respondent not to conduct any enquiry into the redemption of the pledged jewels made through Na.Ka.No.1082/ 2026/ SaPa1, dated 25.03.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Murugesan For Respondents): Mr.R.Chakkaravarthy, Govt. Counsel for RR-1 to 4

ORDER

The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the fourth respondent not to conduct any enquiry into the redemption of the pledged jewels made through Na.Ka.No.1082/2026/SaPa1, dated 25.03.2026.

The petitioner is seeking not to conduct any enquiry that is being conducted by the fourth respondent. The enquiry pertains to redeeming of the pledged jewels with the Co-operative Society. The complaint was filed by the sixth respondent herein, namely Mr.Rajendran who had filed W.P.No.3822 of 2025 for issuance of a Writ of Certiorariafied Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned order passed in Na.Ka.175/2022-23/C4, dated 22.01.2025 by the fifth respondent therein and quash the same and consequently direct the respondent Nos.1 to 4 therein to take necessary action for commencement of statutory enquiry under Section 81 of the Tamil Nadu Co-

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operative Societies Act, 1983 in respect of the irregularities caused by the sixth respondent therein in petitioner's father, i.e. T.K.Kalidoss gold jewel loan accounts pledged in the fifth and sixth respondents therein (Banks) as per representation, dated 14.10.2024 made by the petitioner therein (sixth respondent herein).

A complaint was filed by the sixth respondent herein, namely K.Rajendran, who had filed W.P.No.3822 of 2025 for the above stated relief. This Court, by order dated 11.12.2025, directed that the enquiry has to be conducted and such enquiry be completed within eight weeks. The relevant portion of the order reads as follows:

"14. All the counsel agree that the enquiry can be conducted by an officer superior to the Joint Registrar, viz., fifth respondent. Hence, the impugned order is set aside. The entire file including the complaint given by the petitioner shall be forwarded to the second respondent. The second respondent shall appoint a person holding the rank of Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies to look into the papers afresh and pass an order. The said exercise shall be completed, within a period of eight weeks from today. Depending on the report of the Additional Registrar, it is open to the second respondent either to initiate an action under Section 81 of the TNCS Act or any disciplinary proceedings, he so desires."

It is not in dispute that pursuant to the above direction of this Court in

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WP No. 19572 of 2026

the said W.P.No.3822 of 2025, enquiry is being now conducted.

The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking direction to

stall the enquiry that is being undertaken pursuant to the order passed in the said Writ Petition in W.P.No.3822 of 2025 mainly on the ground that the petitioner herein was not a party to the said Writ proceedings. If that be the case, option is left to the petitioner to file appeal against the order passed in the said Writ Petition and he cannot come up with the present Writ Petition seeking to stall the proceedings which are now being undertaken pursuant to the order of this Court.

The present Writ Petition is devoid of merits and the same is

accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

05.06.2025

cs

To

The Addl. Chief Secretary to Government Co.op., Food and Consumer Protection Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.

The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, N.V.N. Maligai, Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.

The Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Dharmapuri Region , Dharmapuri District

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WP No. 19572 of 2026

The Deputy Registrar Of Co- Operative Societies

Dharmapuri Circle, Dharmapuri District.

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WP No. 19572 of 2026

K.SURENDER, J

cs

WP No. 19572 of 2026

05-06-2026

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