M/S Steel India Corporation v. Chennai Port Authority

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 23.03.2026 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.Nos.5955 and 5956 of 2024 M/s.STEEL INDIA CORPORATION Rep. By its Managing Partner P.R.Teju .. Petitioner (in both W.Ps) Versus Chennai Port Authority, Chennai Port Trust, No.1, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001. .. Respondent (in both W.Ps) Prayer in W.P.No.5405 of 2024 : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to appoint Conciliator based on representation, dated

25.01.2024 sent though mail on 27.01.2024 and further representation, dated 14.02.2024 sent through mail in respect of Contract Agreement No.16 of 2022, dated 18.07.2022. Prayer in W.P.No.5409 of 2024 : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to appoint Conciliator based on representation, dated

25.01.2024 sent though mail on 27.01.2024 and further representation, dated 14.02.2024 sent through mail in respect of Contract Agreement No.25 of 2022, dated 21.09.2022. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Ramesh Kumar (in both W.Ps) For Respondent : Mr.Haja Mohideen Gisthi (in both W.Ps) COMMON ORDER These Writ Petitions are filed seeking for a direction to the respondent to appoint a Conciliator based on the representation, dated

25.01.2024 sent through mail on 27.01.2024 and further representation, dated 14.02.2024 sent through mail in respect of Contract Agreement Nos.16 and 25 of 2022, dated 18.07.2022 and 21.09.2022 respectively.

¶2Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner made a representation on 27.01.2024 to the respondent for appointment of Conciliator as per Clause 25.1 of the General Conditions of the Contract entered into between the petitioner and the respondent. However, no orders are passed. Hence, this Writ Petition is filed before this Court.

¶3Per contra, learned Counsel for the respondent, submits that on receipt of the representation of the petitioner through mail, the respondent suggested three Conciliators namely Hon'ble Mr.Justice K.Kannan, Mr.R.Yashod Vardhan, Senior Advocate and Mrs.Chitra Narayan, Advocate for the petitioner's consideration.

¶4The learned Counsel for the petitioner suggested the name of Mr.R.Yashod Vardhan, Senior Advocate.

¶5In view of the above, Mr.R.Yashod Vardhan, Senior Advocate is appointed as a Conciliator in both the matters and a liberty is granted to the petitioner and the respondent to proceed the matter before the Conciliator in the manner known to law in terms of the contract entered between them.

¶6With the above observations, these Writ Petitions are disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

23.03.2026 Index : yes/no Speaking order/Non-speaking order : yes/no grs To The Chennai Port Authority, Chennai Port Trust, No.1, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001.

M.DHANDAPANI, J. grs and W.M.P.Nos.5955 and 5956 of 2024

23.03.2026