TASMAC customers can lodge police complaints if salespersons collect excess money: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has ruled that TASMAC liquor customers can file police complaints if salespersons demand money above the printed price. The court mandated the use of electronic billing and police presence at retail outlets to curb corruption and ensure orderly sales.
Why it matters
This judicial intervention addresses systemic corruption in state-run retail and protects consumer rights in a highly regulated market.
The Madras High Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) ordered that customers of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor shops can lodge complaints before the jurisdictional police stations if salespersons demand or collect excess money while selling liquor.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan passed the order while disposing of a writ petition (criminal) filed by advocate clerk G. Devarajan, accusing around 30 TASMAC liquor shops in and around Chennai of having collected excess money from customers between 2022 and 2026.
The judge had previously passed an interim order in the case directing TASMAC to ensure that its retail shops issue bills for every bottle of liquor sold by them. Accordingly, he was informed on Friday that TASMAC had issued a circular in this regard on Thursday (August 6).
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