N.Nagarajan v. The Director of Town Panchayats

ORDER This writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated 18/3/2026.

¶2By the said order, the petitioner, who was granted the license to collect the charges in respect of the weekly 'Sandhai' was directed to hand over the gate key to the office of the Block Development Officer with effect from 31/03/2026.

¶3The grievance of the petitioner is that even though the term of the petitioner comes to an end with effect from 31/3/2026, no re-auction has been made and therefore until the steps are to be taken for re-auctioning, the petitioner can continue. The petitioner had also made an application to renew his term.

¶4When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate, who takes notice for the fourth respondent would submit that the term of the petitioner is three years as per the Government Order and the same expires on 31/03/2026. Only because the Model Code of Conduct has come into force, auction could not be made in respect of the next term. Once the Model Code of Conduct ends, due advertisement will be made and the petitioner can also participate and they are not going to renew the term but going to re-auction the right to collect the charges. It is also further submitted that the in the meanwhile, no other person will be permitted, but the municipality itself will take charge of collecting the charges in the interregnum.

¶5In view of the said submissions made on behalf of the local authority, when the original term of the petitioner is ending on 31/3/2026, except to record that the respondents will take expeditious steps to re-auction the process and as and when the same is made, it will be open for the petitioner to also participate in the manner known to law. No other relief can be granted to the petitioner.

¶6Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

30.03.2026 Index : Yes/N Internet : Yes/No CM TO

¶1The Director of Town Panchayats, 4th Floor, Kuralagam, Chennai - 600 108.

¶2The District Collector, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

¶3The Joint Director of Town Panchayat, Collectorate, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

¶4The Executive Officer, Thingal Nagar Selection Grade Town Panchayat, Thingal Nagar,Kanyakumari District. WP(MD).oNo.8721oofo2026 ooD.BHARATHAoCHAKRAVARTHY,J. CM ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWP(MD).oNo.8721oofo2026 andoWMP(MD)No.7030oofo2026 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooDateoo:o30/03/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 30/03/2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and WMP(MD)No.7030 of 2026 N.Nagarajan ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The Director of Town Panchayats, 4th Floor, Kuralagam, Chennai - 600 108. 2. The District Collector, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. 3. The Joint Director of Town Panchayat, Collectorate, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. 4. The Executive Officer, Thingal Nagar Selection Grade Town Panchayat, Thingal Nagar,Kanyakumari District. ... Respondents PRAYER :-Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of CERTIORARIFIED MANDAMUS, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned communication of the 4th respondent in Na.Ka.No. 352/2022/A2, dated 18.03.2026 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents herein to renew the license already granted to the petitioner to collect the entry fee in the Thingal Nagar selection grade Town panchayat public market based on the representation dated 24.03.2026, forthwith. For Petitioner : Mr.C. Kishore For R1 to R3 : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For R4 : Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate