BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.03.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P(MD)No.3560 of 2026 R.Kannan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

3.The Sub Collector, O/o.Sub Collector, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District.

4.The District Manager, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited, (TASMAC), 50/57, TANSIDCO Complex, Nanjikottai Road, Thanjavur - 613 006. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to close the TASMAC liquor shop No.7946 operating near National Highway No.NH-36 in Asoor Village, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, by way of implementing the resolution passed by the third respondent herein in Na.Ka.No.134/2025/A4 dated 25.03.2025 and act in accordance with the light of order dated 15.12.2016 passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No.12164-12166 of 2016 (The State of Tamil Nadu and Ors. vs K.Balu and another) by considering the petitioner's representation dated

29.12.2025, within the stipulated time fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.B.Anandan For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R1 & R3)

Special Government Pleader : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi (R2)

Government Advocate : Mr.H.Arumugam (R4)

Standing Counsel

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.

The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the respondents to close the TASMAC Liquor Shop No.7946 operating near National Highway No.NH-36 at Asoor Village, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, by implementing the resolution passed by the third respondent in Na.Ka.No.134/2025/A4 dated 25.03.2025.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal Nos.12164 to 12166 of 2016 (The State of Tamil Nadu and Others vs. K. Balu and Another) has clearly held that no liquor shop should be located along National and State Highways. Despite the said direction, the shop in question, which is situated along the National Highway, has not been shifted so far.

3.The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the fourth respondent/TASMAC submitted that the authorities have already identified an alternative place. However, since a “No Objection” has not been granted by the police, the District Collector has not accorded permission. It is further submitted that the authorities have now identified a new place for shifting the existing shop and that the proposal is yet to be forwarded to the District Collector.

4.In such view of the matter, the TASMAC authorities are directed to forward the proposal to the District Collector, Thanjavur, within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On receipt of such proposal, the District Collector, Thanjavur shall pass appropriate orders for shifting the shop in question, in accordance with law, within a period of two months thereafter.

5.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.]

09.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No ps To

1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

3.The Sub Collector, O/o.Sub Collector, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District.

4.The District Manager, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited, (TASMAC), 50/57, TANSIDCO Complex, Nanjikottai Road, Thanjavur - 613 006.

N.SATHISH KUMAR , J .

and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J .

ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 09.03.2026