M. Chittibabu v. The Secretary to Government

ORDER The present writ petition has been filed for a direction to first respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by petitioner in No.8340/ M1/2026, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and consequently direct respondents 2 and 3 to permit petitioner to operate his retail pharmacy based on his license till the disposal of the above appeal.

¶2This is the second round of litigation. Earlier, challenging the order of third respondent in K.Dis.No.1234/A2/DPRZ/2025 dated 27.06.2026, cancelling the license of petitioner, a writ petition in W.P.No.21028 of 2026 came to be filed. This Court vide order dated 04.06.2026, set aside the impugned order and directed respondents to re-consider and pass orders afresh after affording petitioner a reasonable opportunity of hearing. Pursuant to the above order dated 04.06.2026, the impugned order came to be passed.

¶3Learned counsel for petitioner would submit that an appeal dated

13.07.2026 has been preferred and the same is stated to be pending before first respondent. He would submit that an application for stay was also moved before first respondent on 13.07.2026. He would submit that in view of the Page3 of 5 cancellation of license, petitioner is unable to run the pharmacy. He would only request that the appeal as well as the stay petition may be disposed, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶4Learned State Counsel for respondents would submit that they would consider petitioner's appeal dated 13.07.2026 along with stay application and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court, which was agreed to by learned counsel for petitioner.

¶5In view thereof, this Court directs first respondent to pass orders on the stay application dated 13.07.2026, in accordance with law, after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to petitioner, and any other interested party, within a period of one week from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of certified copy. First respondent shall also endeavour to dispose of the appeal dated 13.07.2026, after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to petitioner and any other interested party, within a period of six weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of certified copy. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed on the merits of the maintainability of the appeal/stay application. Page4 of 5

¶6Accordingly, writ petition stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs. 24-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MRN To

¶1The Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

¶2The Director of Drugs Control, No.359, DMS Campus, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600 006.

¶3The Assistant Director of Drugs Control/Licensing Authority, Dharmapuri Zone, Dharmpauri. Page5 of 5

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. MRN WP No.29310 of 2026 24-07-2026

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 24-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ WP No.29310 of 2026 M. Chittibabu, Proprietor of M/s.Shankar Medical Stores and Generals, 39/A4 Opp to Government Hospital, Denkanikottai Main Road, Hosur, Krishnagiri District-635 109. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St. George Chennai. 2. The Director of Drugs Control, No.359, DMS Campus, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600 006 3. The Assistant Director of Drugs Control/ Licensing Authority, Dharmapuri Zone, Dharmpauri. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Mandamus, directing first respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by petitioner in No.8340/M1/2026, within the time stipulated by this Court and consequently direct respondents 2 and 3 to permit petitioner to operate his retail pharmacy based on his license till the disposal of the above appeal. Page2 of 5 For Petitioner(s): Mr.Bala Ramesh for Mr.D.Venkatachalam For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Elayaraj Kumar for Government