Madras High Court
S. Goodwin Solomen Raj vs The Principal Secretary To Government on 13 February, 2026
Author: M.Dhandapani
Bench: M.Dhandapani
W.P. No.5553 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 13.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI
W.P. No.5553 of 2026
S. Goodwin Solomen Raj Petitioner
Vs
1. The Principal Secretary to Government,
Department of Co- operation,
Food and Consumer Protection,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Secretariat, Fort St. George,
Chennai- 600 009.
2.The Registrar
State Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission,
TNPSC Road,
V.O.C. 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 Member of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission,
Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai, with the existing service conditions, beyond
23.03.2026 until the completion of recruitment process after the new rules to
be notified by the Union of India, in view of the judgment of the Honble
Supreme Court of India dated 21.05.2025 in Civil Appeal No.9982 of 2024 in
Ganeshkumar Rajeshwarrao Selukar & Ors, Vs. Mahendra Bhaskar Limaye
& Others and to pass appropriate orders.
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W.P. No.5553 of 2026
For Petitioner : Mr.M. Velmurugan
For Respondents : Mr.P. Ganesan
Addl. Govt. Pleader for R1
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to permit the petitioner to extend the tenure of the Petitioner as Member of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai, beyond 23.03.2026 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 Member, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai through Government Order dated 18.03.2022 and appointed vide proceedings dated 21.03.2022. The 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 03:54:43 pm ) W.P. No.5553 of 2026 petitioner's recruitment and appointment were made in accordance with the Consumer Protection (Qualification for Appointment, Method of Recruitment, Procedure of Appointment, Term of Office, Resignation and Removal of the President and Members of the State Commission and District Commission) Rules, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as “the 2020 Rules”). As per Rule 10 of “the 2020 Rules” (as amended in 2022), every Member of the State Commission and the President and Member of the District Commission shall hold office for a term of four years or upto the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term of four years, subject to the age limit of sixty five years and such reappointment shall be made on the basis of the recommendation of the Selection Committee. The petitioner's tenure as Member is due to end on 23.03.2026. However, the petitioner is entitled to continue till the recruitment process under the New Rules to be notified and hence, the present Writ Petition for the aforesaid relief.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner drew the attention of this Court to the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ganeshkumar Rajeshwarrao Selukar and Ors vs Mehendra Bhaskar Limaye and Ors reported in (2025) 8 SCC 634, wherein directions with regard to the status of appointment to the post of Presidents and Members of the State and District 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 03:54:43 pm ) W.P. No.5553 of 2026 Commissions has been issued. The relevant direction is as follows :
6. Non-Judicial Members of the State a) If already appointed and serving, they shall be Commission and the Members of allowed to continue in service for the entirety of the District Commission, who have their tenure. In the event of their tenure ending given the written examination and before the completion of the recruitment process viva voce under the new rules to be notified, their appointment shall be allowed to continue until the completion of the said recruitment process.
Thus, it is clear that in the event of completion of tenure before the completion of the recruitment process, petitioner’s appointment shall be allowed to continue till the completion of recruitment process. Hence, he prayed to allow the Writ Petition.
5. The learned Additional Government Pleader for the 1st respondent submitted that the petitioner’s tenure is over by 23.03.2026 and as such, he cannot be permitted to continue till the new recruitment to the post of Member of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai. However, he has not disputed the facts of the case and also fairly admitted the contentions put forth by the learned counsel for the petitioner.
6. In the case on hand, the petitioner was appointed as Member, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai 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 on 23.03.2026. But so far, there is no 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 03:54:43 pm ) W.P. No.5553 of 2026 recruitment to the post of Member, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai. 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 Member, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai, till the completion of recruitment process under the new Rules.
7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
13.02.2026 (7/9) Note : Issue order copy on 16.02.2026 Index : Yes / No Internet: Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order vsi2 To
1. The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Co- operation, Food and Consumer Protection, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009.
2.The Registrar State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, TNPSC Road, V.O.C. Nagar (Behind TNPSC), Park Town, Chennai- 600 003.
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