M. DHANDAPANI, J.

The matter is listed today under the caption “for being mentioned”.

2. It is brought to the notice of this Court that in the appearance portion, the name of the counsel on record for the petitioner has been wrongly mentioned and the same needs to be rectified. Also, in the operative portion of the order dated 23.01.2026 viz., in para 6, instead of mentioning as President, due to inadvertent typographical error, the same has been mentioned as Member. Hence, the said portion of the order has to be modified by this Court.

3. In view of the above, appearance as well as para 6 of the order dated

23.01.2026 shall stand substituted with the following :-

For Petitioner : Mr.A. Abdul Hameed Senior Counsel for Mrs. Anbarasi Rajendran

6 ^th paragraph

6. In the case on hand, the petitioner was appointed as President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North) on 21.03.2022. His tenure as per Rule 10 of the Rules, shall hold office for a term of four years or upto the age of sixty five years, whichever is earlier. Now, the petitioner’s tenure is due to end in the month of March 2026. But so far, there is no recruitment to the post of President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North). In the light of the decision of the Hon’ble Apex Court as stated supra, the respondents are directed to permit the petitioner to continue the service as President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North) till the completion of recruitment process under the new Rules.

4. Except the above modifications, remaining portion of the order dated

23.01.2026 shall stand unaltered.

5. Registry is directed to carry out aforesaid corrections and issue fresh order copy to the parties.

11.02.2026 vsi2 Note: Registry is directed to issue a fresh order copy after making necessary corrections.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

vsi2

11.02.2026 (2/5)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 23.01.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI D. Gopinath Petitioner Vs

1. The Principal Secretary Department of Co- operation, Food and Consumer Protection (H1), Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai- 600 009.

2.The Registrar State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Frazer Bridge Road, VOC Nagar (Behind TNPSC)

Park Town, Chennai- 600 003. Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to extend the tenure of the Petitioner as President of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North) with the existing service conditions until the completion of recruitment process as per new Rules in terms of the judgement of the Honble Supreme Court of India in Ganeshkumar Rajeshwarrao Selukar & Ors, Vs. Mahendra Bhaskar Limaye & Ors Civil Appeal No.9982/2024 dated

21.05.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.A. Abdul Hameed Senior Counsel for Mr.A. Abdul Hameed For Respondents : Mr. S. Balamurugan Govt. Advocate

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue in service as President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai(North), beyond March 2026 until completion of the recruitment process under the New Rules, in compliance with the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated 21.05.2025 in Civil Appeal No.9982 of 2024 (Ganeshkumar Rajeshwarrao Selukar and Ors. vs.

Mahendra Bhaskar Limaye and Ors)

2. Heard the learned counsels appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. The brief facts of the case is as follows:

3.1. The petitioner was selected as President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North) through Government Order dated 18.03.2022 and appointed vide proceedings dated 21.03.2022. The petitioner's recruitment and appointment were made in accordance with the Consumer Protection (Qualification for Appointment, Method of Recruitmen