Periyar Anna Kamaraj Vs State of Tamilnadu Rep Secretary to the Local Administration

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WP No. 5145 of 2025

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 23-07-2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR WP No. 5145 of 2025

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Periyar, Anna, Kamaraj, KWMC Koyembedu Kaai Kani, Malar, Unavu, Thaniya Anaithu Uruginanindha Kuttaiamipu Sangam Rep By Its President G D Rajasekaran No.E-114 Periyar Kaaikari Angadi Koyembedu Chennai 600 107

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..Petitioner(s)

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Vs

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State Of Tamil Nadu Rep Secretary To The Local Administration Ezhilagam Annex Building 6th Floor Kamarajar Salai Chepauk Chennai 600005

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The Member Secretary Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority No.1 Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore Chennai 600008

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Market Management Committee Rep By Its Chief Administrative Officer Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority No.1 Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore Chennai 600008

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Koyambedu Vaniga Valaga LMN Block Motha Viyabarigal Sangam, Represent By Its Secretary/President, S.Raja, S/o. Sudalaikan, No.3, Mandaveli Street, Nerkundram, Tiruvallur - 600 107. (R4 Impleaded Vide Order Dated 15.12.2025 made in WMP.15044/2025)

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..Respondent(s)

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

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WP No. 5145 of 2025

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Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus forbearing the respondents from transferring Godowns G situated in G block and Godown No. J situated in J block in Periyar vegetable market, Koyambedu wholesale market complex, Koyambedu Chennai by a way of absolute sale or lease or by public auction or by a way of any mode of transfer to any individuals or any traders or any third parties pending representation of the petitioner sangam dated on 08.11.2024 and 14.11.2024

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For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.Rajasekhar For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Siddarth, Govt. Advocate for R1 Ms.P.Veena Suresh, Standing Counsel for R2 & R3

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Mr.M.Selvam for R4

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ORDER

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The petitioner has filed the present writ petition seeking a direction restraining the third respondent from transferring Godown No. G in G Block and

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Godown No. J in J Block situated in the Periyar Vegetable Market, Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, Chennai, by way of absolute sale, lease, public auction or any other mode of transfer to any individual, trader or third party, pending consideration of the petitioner’s representations dated 08.11.2024 and 14.11.2024.

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The petitioner contends that the subject godowns belong to the third respondent and that, under Section 5(2) of the Tamil Nadu Specified Commodities Markets (Regulation of Location) Act, 1996, only the Market Committee is competent to lease or sell the godowns. It is alleged that the third respondent, without any authority in law, is attempting to alienate the godowns.

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Page2 of 5

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

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WP No. 5145 of 2025

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The petitioner further submits that the godowns are presently being used by small retail traders for storing perishable goods.

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Learned counsel appearing for respondents 2 and 3 submitted that the

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subject godowns belong to the second respondent and not to the third respondent. It was further submitted that the second respondent is competent to lease or sell

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the godowns in accordance with the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act and is also empowered to allot them through public auction. Therefore, the petitioner has no vested right to continue using the godowns.

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Having regard to the categorical stand taken by the second respondent that the godowns belong to it and that any allotment would be made only through a public auction in accordance with law, no direction can be issued against the third respondent, who has no authority to lease or sell the subject godowns.

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Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of, reserving liberty to the petitioner to participate in any public auction conducted by the second respondent for allotment of the godowns, in accordance with law. There shall be no order as to costs.

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23-07-2026

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Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No ssk

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

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WP No. 5145 of 2025

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To

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State Of Tamil Nadu Rep Secretary To The Local Administration Ezhilagam Annex Building 6th Floor Kamarajar Salai Chepauk Chennai 600005

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The Member Secretary Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority No.1 Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore Chennai 600008

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Market Management Committee Rep By Its Chief Administrative Officer Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority No.1 Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore Chennai 600008

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Koyambedu Vaniga Valaga LMN Block Motha Viyabarigal Sangam, Represent By Its Secretary/President, S.Raja, S/o. Sudalaikan, No.3, Mandaveli Street, Nerkundram, Tiruvallur - 600 107.

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

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WP No. 5145 of 2025

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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ssk

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WP No. 5145 of 2025