Madras High CourtWP/1419/2026disposed of with direction

S.Ponram v. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation

2026-01-23Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23.01.2026 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.Nos.1572, 1573 & 1576 of 2026 S.Ponram ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, (Coimbatore) Ltd., Rep.by its Managing Director, 37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore-641 043.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, 37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore-641 043.

3.The Branch Manager, Sulur Branch, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, Sulur, Coimbatore-641 402.

4.The Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai-600 003.

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5.The Dean, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore-641 018.

Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus after calling for the records pertaining to the Order issued by the 3rd Respondent dated 18.08.2025, the report submitted by the 5th Respondent in Ref.No.16066/MB/2025 dated 15.09.2025, the charge memo issued by the 2nd Respondent in 1/G8A/1854/TNSTC (Ko)/2025 dated 15.09.2025 and the order passed by the 2nd Respondent in 323/E3/Pa Thu1/TNSTC (Ko)/2025, dated 25.10.2025, quash the same and consequently direct the Respondents 1 to 3 to provide light duty/Security Guard work to the Petitioner on permanent basis, to designate him as Non ITI Helper, with pay protection, continuity of service, backwages and all other service and consequential benefits w.e.f. 25.07.

2025 based on the report to be submitted by the 4th Respondent Medical Board and forbear Respondents 1 to 3 and their officials not to insist him to work as a Driver, not to insist him to get my heavy vehicle license renewed, not to get any fresh heavy vehicle license and not to take any cation based on the memo dated 15.09.2025 and a further direction to the 1st and 2nd Respondents to pay backwages fro the period when the Petitioner was not given light duty/alternative employment, award costs. For Petitioner : Ms.H.Nandhini for Mr.R.Krishnasamy For Respondents : Mr.C.Gauthamaraj for RR-1 to 3 Mr.K.

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed challenging the order dated 18.08.2025, in and by which, the claim of the petitioner for grant of medical leave was rejected, the report of the Medical Board dated 15.09.2025 stating that the petitioner is fit to continue as Heavy Vehicle Driver, the charge memo dated 15.09.2025 on the ground of unauthorized absence and the order dated 25.10.2025 stating that the petitioner is fit to continue as a heavy vehicle driver on the basis of the report of the Medical Board dated 15.09.2025.

2. The petitioner joined the services of the 1st Respondent Corporation as Driver on 11.04.1997 and he is presently working at Sulur Depot. Due to a sudden accident, he suffered a bone fracture below the knee of right leg and sustained injuries in the spinal cord thereby he underwent surgeries as a result of which, the petitioner could not drive heavy vehicle, and therefore, he was provided with light duty as a Security Guard from 01.03.2018 with three months spell. However, after the expiry of the previous spell, the petitioner had requested for grant of security guard post on permanent basis, pursuant to which, he was referred to the 4th respondent Medical Board wherein, it was certified that the petitioner is suffering from 45% of permanent disability, despite which, the petitioner's request for grant of light duty was not considered. Further, the petitioner's request for grant of medical leave was also rejected by order dated 3/6

18.08.2025 on the ground that the petitioner's heavy passenger transport driving license was expired on 05.03.2025 and subsequently, he was issued with the charge memo dated 15.09.2025 alleging unauthorized absence for the relevant period during which the petitioner was under Medical leave followed by an order dated 25.10.2025 stating that, as per the report of the Medical Board, the petitioner is fit to continue as a heavy vehicle driver. Aggrieved by which, the present Writ Petition been filed.

3. Though very many grounds have been raised, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that this Court may issue a direction to the 3rd respondent to refer the petitioner to the 4th respondent/ Medical Board and if the medical disability suffered by the petitioner is proven, the respondents may be directed to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.

4. Learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that after receiving the opinion from the 4th respondent/ Medical Board, an appropriate decision would be taken, and thereafter, necessary orders would be passed.

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5. In view of the above, the following directions are issued:- i) The 3rd respondent is directed to refer the petitioner to the 4th respondent/ Medical Board within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. ii) Upon such reference, 4th respondent/ Medical Board, shall examine the petitioner and render its opinion regarding the medical fitness of the petitioner to continue in the post of Heavy Vehicle Driver within a period of four weeks thereafter. iii) On receipt of the opinion from the 4th respondent/ Medical Board, the 3rd respondent is directed to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of six weeks thereafter and;

iv) Till such time, the respondents shall not to take any coercive steps as against the petitioner.

6. The Writ Petition stands disposed of in the above terms. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 23.01.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order Nhs 5/6

M.DHANDAPANI, J Nhs To 1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, (Coimbatore) Ltd., Rep.by its Managing Director, 37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore-641 043.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, 37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore-641 043.

3.The Branch Manager, Sulur Branch, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, Sulur, Coimbatore-641 402.

4.The Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai-600 003.

5.The Dean, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore-641 018.

and W.M.P.Nos.1572, 1573 & 1576 of 2026 23.01.2026 6/6