Madras High Court
B. Jijaa Petitioner vs The Principal Secretary
Author: M.Dhandapani
Bench: M.Dhandapani
W.P. No.2281 of 2026
W.P. No.2281 of 2026
M. DHANDAPANI, J.
The matter is listed today under the caption “for being mentioned”.
2. It is brought to the notice of this Court that in the appearance portion,
the name of the counsel on record for the petitioner has been wrongly
mentioned and the same needs to be rectified. Also, in the operative portion of
the order dated 23.01.2026 viz., in para 6, instead of mentioning as President,
due to inadvertent typographical error, the same has been mentioned as
Member. Hence, the said portion of the order has to be modified by this Court.
3. In view of the above, appearance as well as para 6 of the order dated
23.01.2026 shall stand substituted with the following :-
For Petitioner : Mr.A. Abdul Hameed
Senior Counsel
for Mrs. Anbarasi Rajendran
th
6 paragraph
6. In the case on hand, the petitioner was appointed as President,
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai
(South) 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
in the month of March 2026. But so far, there is no recruitment to
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W.P. No.2281 of 2026
the post of President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission, Chennai (South). 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 President, District
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (South) till the
completion of recruitment process under the new Rules.
4. Except the above modifications, remaining portion of the order dated
23.01.2026 shall stand unaltered.
5. Registry is directed to carry out aforesaid corrections and issue fresh
order copy to the parties.
11.02.2026
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Note: Registry is directed to issue a fresh order
copy after making necessary corrections.
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W.P. No.2281 of 2026
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
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W.P. No.2281 of 2026
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W.P. No.2281 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 23.01.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI
W.P. No.2281 of 2026
B. Jijaa Petitioner
Vs
1. The Principal Secretary
Department of Co- operation,
Food and Consumer Protection (H1),
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Chennai- 600 009.
2.The Registrar
State Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission,
Frazer Bridge Road,
VOC 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 President of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission,
Chennai (South) with the existing service conditions until the completion of
recruitment process as per new Rules in terms of the judgement of the Honble
Supreme Court of India in Ganeshkumar Rajeshwarrao Selukar & Ors, Vs.
Mahendra Bhaskar Limaye & Ors Civil Appeal No.9982/2024 dated
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W.P. No.2281 of 2026
21.05.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.A. Abdul Hameed
Senior Counsel
for Mr.A. Abdul Hameed
For Respondents : Mr. S. Balamurugan
Govt. Advocate
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue in service as President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai(South), beyond March 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 President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (South) through Government Order dated 18.03.2022 and appointed vide proceedings dated 21.03.2022. The petitioner's 5/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/02/2026 07:09:30 pm ) W.P. No.2281 of 2026 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 President is due to end in the month of March 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 Commissions has been issued. The relevant direction is as follows : 6/9
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6. Non-Judicial Members of the a) If already appointed and serving, they State Commission and theshall be allowed to continue in service for the Members of the Districtentirety of their tenure. In the event of their Commission, who have given thetenure ending before the completion of the written examination and vivarecruitment process under the new rules to be voce 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, their appointment shall be allowed to continue till the completion of recruitment process. Hence, he prayed to allow the Writ Petition.
5. The learned counsel for the respondents would submit that the petitioner’s tenure is over by March 2026 and as such, he cannot be permitted to continue till the new recruitment to the post of President of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (South), 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 President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (South) 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 in the month of March 2026. But so far, there is no recruitment to the post of President, District Consumer Disputes Redressal 7/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/02/2026 07:09:30 pm ) W.P. No.2281 of 2026 Commission, Chennai (South). 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, Chennai (South) till the completion of recruitment process under the new Rules.
7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands allowed. No costs.
23.01.2026 (1/5) Index : Yes / No Internet: Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order vsi2 To
1. The Principal Secretary Department of Co- operation, Food and Consumer Protection (H1), Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai- 600 009.
2.The Registrar State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Frazer Bridge Road, VOC Nagar (Behind TNPSC) Park Town, Chennai- 600 003.
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