P.Shanmugasundaran v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER Heard both sides.

2.This is the third round of litigation. Targeting the private respondents herein, W.P(MD)No.1353 of 2026 was filed. The ground taken in the said writ petition was that a retail petroleum outlet set up by the private respondents falls within the prohibited distance from a water body.

3.When the matter was taken up for hearing, it was fairly conceded that while the prescribed prohibited distance is 50 meters, the retail outlet had been located at a distance of 47 meters. The private respondents, however, undertook to shift the retail outlet. Contending that the relocated site also fell within the prohibited distance, W.P(MD)No.18326 of 2026 was filed. After hearing the parties, this Court concluded that the relocated site was beyond the prescribed distance and accordingly dismissed the second writ petition on

02.07.2026. When the petitioner's counsel sought liberty to challenge the "No Objection Certificate" issued by the fifth respondent, this Court declined to grant such liberty. Undeterred by the same, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition. We are not inclined to entertain the same.

4.Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

[G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.]

09.07.2026

NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No MGA To

1.The Secretary to Government, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, No. 76, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

3.The Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, South Circle, Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), A-Wing, Block 1-8, Shastri Bhavan, No. 26, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 006.

4.The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

5.The District Revenue Officer / Additional District Magistrate, District Revenue Office, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

6.The Regional / Divisional Manager, M/s.Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Coimbatore Divisional Office, Indian Oil Bhavan, No.8/1079, Avinashi Road, Coimbatore – 641 018. G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J and

B.PUGALENDHI, J. MGA

09.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI and W.M.P(MD)Nos.14295, 14298 & 14299 of 2026 P.Shanmugasundaram ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State represented by The Secretary to Government, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, No. 76, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. 3.The Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, South Circle, Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), A-Wing, Block 1-8, Shastri Bhavan, No. 26, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 006. 4.The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul. 5.The District Revenue Officer / Additional District Magistrate, District Revenue Office, Dindigul District, Dindigul. 6.M/s.Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Represented by its Regional / Divisional Manager, Coimbatore Divisional Office, Indian Oil Bhavan, No.8/1079, Avinashi Road, Coimbatore – 641 018. 7.Amuthavalli ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the impugned No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the fifth respondent in his proceedings in LSDA File No. 4671530/2026/C4 dated 24.06.2026 and quash the same and consequently forbearing the 6th and 7th Respondents from carrying out any further construction or retail operation of the petroleum outlet at Survey Nos.398/9 and 400/4, Thangachiyamapatti Village, Oddanchatram Taluk, Dindigul District. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Ezhilarasu For Respondents : Mr.S.Sivasubramanian Government Advocate (Civil Side) for R.1, R.4 & R.5 Mrs.Madhuri Dondi Reddy Standing Counsel for R.2 Mr.A.M.Akbar Ali for Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff for R.6 Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy Senior Counsel for Mr.S.Rajasekar for R.7