W.P.No.26428 of 2026 Page Nos.1/5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 08.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.No.26428 of 2026 and W.M.P.No.28902 & 28904 of 2026 1. V.Balamurugan S/o.Viruthagiri 2. P.Shanmugam S/o.Periyasamy 3. D.Anandhan S/o.Durairaj ... Petitioners vs. 1. The Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department Fort St.George Chennai-600 009. 2. The Commissioner, Virudhachalam Municipality Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District. … Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.26428 of 2026 Page Nos.2/5 to the impugned Tender-cum-Auction Notice bearing Na.Ka.No.2071/2025/A2, dated 25.06.2026 published in Tamil Daily “Dinakaran” on 26.06.2026 on the file of the 2nd respondent and to quash the same and to direct the 2nd respondent to conduct a fresh public auction by permitting the petitioners to participate in the Tender-cum-public auction. For Petitioners : Ms.D.Kamatchi For Respondent : Mr.C.Prabakaran Government Counsel, for R1 Mr.P.Srinivas Standing Counsel, for R2 ***** O R D E R Mr.C.Prabakaran, learned Government Counsel, accepts notice for the first respondent. Mr.P.Srinivas, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice for the second respondent. 2. The petitioners have filed the present writ petition challenging the auction notice dated 25.06.2026 published in the Tamil daily Dinamalar on 26.06.2026 by the second respondent. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the issue involved in the present writ petition is squarely covered by the order of this https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.26428 of 2026 Page Nos.3/5 Court dated 07.07.2026 passed in W.P. No.15544 of 2026 and, therefore, the present writ petition may also be disposed of in similar terms. 4. Since the issue involved in the present writ petition is no longer res integra and stands squarely covered by the aforesaid order, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms: (i) The petitioners, who have deposited 50% of the enhanced rent pursuant to the orders passed by this Court in W.P. Nos.12537 and 12538 of 2018, shall not be treated as defaulters or persons in arrears merely because the balance 50% of the enhanced rent remains undetermined; (ii) The petitioners shall be permitted to participate in the ensuing public auction-cum-tender, subject to their fulfilling all the other eligibility conditions stipulated in the auction notification; (iii) In the event any of the petitioners are not declared successful bidders, they shall be at liberty to invoke their right of preferential allotment under Rule 316(11)(a) of the Tamil Nadu https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.26428 of 2026 Page Nos.4/5 Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023; and (iv) Upon such applications being made, the second respondent shall consider the petitioners’ claim strictly in accordance with Rule 316(11)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, without insisting upon payment of the undetermined balance 50% of the enhanced rent, and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. 5. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs. 08.07.2026 Speaking / Non-speaking order Neutral Citation : Yes / No Index : Yes / No mk To 1. The Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009. 2. The Commissioner, Virudhachalam Municipality Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.26428 of 2026 Page Nos.5/5 HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J., mk W.P.No.26428 of 2026 08.07.2026 (2/2) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis