S.Natarajan v. The Commissioner of Police

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks a direction to the first respondent to strictly implement one way traffic at Armenian Street, Parry's, particularly, on all Tuesdays.

¶2Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that Armenian Street is a vital commercial and institutional artery in the Parry's area, housing several schools, hotels, tea shops and numerous offices of the Advocate fraternity and all of which are subjected to severe logistical paralysis every Tuesday, being the auspicious day, as large number of devotees gather at St. Antony's Church for worship from morning to late evening, leading to an unplanned saturation of the narrow roadway that far exceeds its carrying capacity. She further submitted that the current state of affairs results in a complete standstill of traffic, obstructing the passage of essential services such as ambulances as well as school vans, autos and office goers, thereby creating a perilous environment for pedestrians, including children and elderly persons. On 7.8.2025, the petitioner had submitted a representation to the respondents. Despite receipt of the same, no action was taken till date.

¶3At the outset, it is to be pointed out that W.P.No.34754 of 2019 came to be filed by one Mr.P.Sesubalan Raja seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Commissioner, Corporation of Chennai, to remove all the encroachments in the streets/roads and also to direct the respondents 2 to 6 therein to frame a scheme for providing proper traffic arrangement like appropriate parking area, one way traffic system, etc., in all the streets in Parry's corner, including Linghi Chetty Street, Thambu Chetty Street, Armenian Street, enabling the pedestrians to use the roads safety and to make the surrounding of High Court a model to the other parts of the city.

¶4The said writ petition was disposed of on 6.3.2024. In paragraph 6 of the said order, this Court observed as under: "6. It is also the responsibility of the traffic police to maintain safe and free flow of traffic and ensure that there are no impediments for the free flow of traffic. Steps can be undertaken by the Corporation and the traffic police to regulate the movement of the traffic in a manner that there would be hassle-free movement of the traffic. The various initiates can be taken by the respondents in that regard. …."

¶5Since in W.P.No.34754 of 2019 this Court had already directed the traffic police to regulate the movement of the traffic in a manner that there would be hassle-free movement of the traffic qua Armeninan Street, no separate order is required to be passed in this writ petition. In any event, the respondent authorities are the best judges to decide qua regulation of traffic. If the directions issued earlier by this Court are not implemented till date, the respondents herein shall ensure that the same are complied with forthwith and the traffic is properly regulated to ensure that there are no traffic snarls, as alleged in the petition. With the above observation, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

29.06.2026 Index : : bbr To:

1.The Commissioner of Police Greater Chenani Vepery, Chennai 600 001.

2.The Inspector of Police C1, Flower Bazaar Police Station, Rattan Bazzaar Road, George Town, Chennai 600 003. W.P.No.23509,of,2026 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE ,,,,AND ,G.ARUL,MURUGAN,,J., bbr W.P.No.23509,of,2026 ,,,,,

29.06.2026 Page,6,of,6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29.06.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN S.Natarajan Advocate, No.103, 2nd Floor, Armenian Street, Parry's, Chennai 600 001 Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner of Police Greater Chenani Vepery, Chennai 600 001. 2.The Inspector of Police C1, Flower Bazaar Police Station, Rattan Bazzaar Road, George Town, Chennai 600 003. Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the 1st respondent to strict implementation of One way Traffic at Amenian Street, Parry's, particularly all the Tuesdays. For Petitioner: Ms.R.Pavithra For Respondents: Mr.M.Dinesh Government Advocate (Criminal Side)