Madras High Court
WP(MD)/17285/2024 of E.Velrani Vs The Taluk Supply Officer on 2 November 2026
WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 02-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024
CNR:{HCMD010751632024}
E.Velrani,
W/o.Essakiappan,
No.92, Mettutheru,
Tirunelveli Town,
Tirunelveli - 627 006.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Taluk Supply Officer,
Radhapuram Taluk,
Radhapuram, Tirunelveli District.
2. Essakiappan,,
S/o.Ramanujam,
Perumalkovil Street,
Ramanujam Nagar,
Shamugarengapuram,
Tirunelveli - 627 112.
(R2 cause title is amended vide court's order dated 04.08.2025 in WMP(MD)No.17657 of 2024)
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records in D1/5039/2022 (OMU) dated 10.05.2024 on the file of the first respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the first respondent to delete the name of the petitioner and her children from Ration Card bearing No.333477319713 within time frame to be fixed by this Court.
WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024
For Petitioner
: Mr.S.Kumar
For R1
: Mr.P.Pethu Rajesh
Additional Government Pleader
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ORDER
The petitioner married the second respondent on 19.01.2000. It is stated that two male children were born to the petitioner and the second respondent. The petitioner asserts that she and the second respondent are living separately since about 2019 and that matrimonial proceedings are pending as between the parties.
2. Intending to apply for a separate ration card in her name, the petitioner requested that her name be deleted from the ration card issued in the name of the second respondent's family members. Said request was rejected under impugned order dated 10.05.2024.
3. Notice was served on the second respondent on 08.09.2025 and the name of the second respondent is printed in the cause list. However, the second respondent remains unrepresented. Therefore, the matter is proceeded with in his absence.
WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024
4. On perusal of the impugned order, it is evident that the petitioner's request was rejected solely on the ground that divorce has not been granted till date. The first respondent has proceeded on the misconception that a person is not entitled to deletion of her name from the ration card unless a divorce decree is obtained. The material consideration in this matter is whether the petitioner and the second respondent are residing together in the same house. If so, the petitioner cannot apply for a separate ration card. Hence, the matter warrants reconsideration.
5. Learned Additional Government Pleader points out that the normal procedure is for an OTP to be sent to the head of the family if a request for deletion is made.
6. Considering the differences that have arisen between husband and wife, the OTP is unlikely to be shared with the petitioner.
7. In the above facts and circumstances, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:
i. The impugned order dated 10.05.2024 is set aside and the matter is remanded for reconsideration by the first respondent. The first respondent is directed to examine
WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024 whether the petitioner and the second respondent are residing in the same house or separately. If it is found that the petitioner and her children are residing separately, the request for deletion of their names from the ration card shall be considered without insisting on the one-time password, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
ii. After the petitioner's name and that of her children are deleted from the ration card issued to the second respondent and his family, it will be open to the petitioner to apply for a separate ration card.
iii. There shall be no order as to costs. 02-11-2026 Index: No Speaking Neutral Citation: No JEN To The Taluk Supply Officer, Radhapuram Taluk, Radhapuram, Tirunelveli District.
WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J. JEN WP(MD) No. 17285 of 2024 02-11-2026