WP/44747/2026 of R.C.Elangovan Vs The District Collector on 2 November 2026

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- “directing the respondents 1 to 3 to consider Petitioners application dated 30.09.2026 and direct the respondents 1 to 3 to issue Temporary Cracker License to this year -2026 Diwali by renewing petitioner license dated 02.11.2018 in proceedings Vide Rc.No.7993/C2/18 in licence No.02/2018-2019 (Permanent) for the present year.”

2. The petitioner would submit that he had taken a building on rent at S.R.Ganesan Complex, Door No. 6F, Sivan Kovil Street, Ariyalur Taluk and District, for running a cracker shop. In the year 2018, he submitted an application seeking a licence under the Explosives Act and the Rules made thereunder to sell crackers in the said premises, along with all the necessary documents. After following the procedure contemplated under the Act and the Rules and upon personal inspection conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer, the 2nd respondent granted a licence to the petitioner to sell crackers, vide proceedings in Rc.No.7993/C2/18 dated 02.11.2018, bearing Licence No.02/2018-2019 (Permanent), subject to the conditions stipulated therein.

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3. The petitioner would further submit that, in the subsequent years, the said licence was continuously renewed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Ariyalur, based on the renewal applications submitted by him. The petitioner had been carrying on the cracker business in the said premises without any untoward incident or hazard, strictly in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the permanent licence granted and renewed by the respondents.

4. While so, vide order dated 14.10.2025, the 3rd respondent had rejected the petitioner’s request for renewal of his license for selling crackers. Challenging the same, the petitioner had filed W.P.No.39427 of 2025. Thereafter, pursuant to the interim order passed by this Court dated 16.10.2025, the petitioner was permitted to run the cracker shop during the Diwali season of 2025, in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations, without causing any hazard or disturbance to the neighbouring residents, natural resources or the general public. Subsequently, the said Writ Petition was disposed of by this Court on 23.10.2026 with a direction to the petitioner to submit a fresh application before the respondents.

5. The petitioner would state that, pursuant to the aforesaid direction, he submitted an application/representation dated 30.09.2026 to the respondents in person on 05.10.2026. Thereafter, he also forwarded the said application/representation through Registered Speed Post with

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Acknowledgement due on 10.10.2026.

6. The petitioner would further submit that the 2nd respondent, vide proceedings in Na.Ka.No.C2/6556/2026 dated 08.10.2026, called for a recommendation report. However, despite the same, the petitioner's application/representation has not been considered and remains pending before the respondents. Aggrieved by the inaction on the part of the respondents in considering his application/representation dated 30.09.2026, the petitioner has approached this Court.

7. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records.

8. A perusal of the records would show that the petitioner's request for grant of a permanent licence had been rejected as early as on 31.10.2023, which order has not been challenged by the petitioner. Thereafter, the petitioner had come forward to challenge the order dated 14.10.2025, whereby his request for renewal of the licence had been rejected. While upholding the said order of rejection, this Court by order dated 23.10.2025 had directed the petitioner to submit a fresh application for grant of a permanent licence within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

9. Admittedly, the petitioner has not submitted any such fresh application

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to date. Therefore, without submitting a fresh application, particularly when the original licence had been rejected on the ground of violations committed by the petitioner, this Court cannot issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant the relief sought for. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. However, it is open to the petitioner to submit a fresh application, as directed earlier, and, on receipt of such application, the respondents shall consider and dispose of the same in accordance with law. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 02-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No SHR

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P.T.ASHA J. SHR To

1. The District Collector, Office Of The District Collector, Ariyalur District, Ariyalur -621 704.

2. The District Revenue Officer Cum Additional District Magistrate, Ariyalur District, Ariyalur - 621 704.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer Cum Divisional Magistrate, Ariyalur Division, Ariyalur District - 621 704. WP No. 44747 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 50244 OF 2026 02-11-2026