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Madras High CourtWP/953/2026disposed of with direction

Dr.A.Jalagandeeswaran v. The Director

2026-01-19Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.Nos. 1150 & 1152 of 2026 Dr.A.Jalagandeeswaran ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The DirectorAnimal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, No.571, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai-35.

2. The Enquiry Officer cum Deputy Director of (AH) cattle Breeding and Fodder Development, (Now Regional Joint Director (AH) With Additional Charge) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services) Vellore- 632 004.

3. Dr.N.Gopikreshna Enquiry Officer cum Deputy Director of (AH) Cattle Breeding and Fodder Development (Now Regional Joint Director (AH) With Additional Charge) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services) Vellore- 632 004.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of writ of certiorarified mandamus, calling for the records of the 1st respondent in connection with the impugned order passed by him in Na.Ka. No.14899/L1/2017 dated 06.08.2023 and the consequential order of 1st Respondent, appointing the 2nd /3rd Respondent as Enquiry Officer issued in Na.Ka.No. 14899/L1/ 2017 dated 24.10.2024, quash the same or in the alternate to keep the disciplinary proceedings in abeyance, pending disposal of __________Page 1 of 6

the criminal case charge sheeted against the petitioner in Spl. C.C. No.1/2019 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tiruvannamalai, now pending in Sp. C.C.No.21/2025 on the file of the District and Sessions Judge, Tiruvannamalai.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.K.Venkatramani, Senior Counsel for Mr.M.Muthappan For Respondent(s):

Mr.R.U.Dinesh Kumar Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the impugned order dated 06.08.2023 and also the consequential order dated 24.10.2024 passed by the 1st respondent.

2. By consent of the learned counsel appearing on either side, this Writ Petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage.

3. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner was appointed as Veterinary Surgeon in the year 1999 at Vetrinary Dispensary, Karapatti Village, Tiruvannamalai District. While so, in the year 2017, a criminal case was registered against the petitioner under the Prevention of Corruption Act, as if the petitioner has demanded a sum of Rs.2,000/- as a bribe on 06.04.2017 from the defacto complainant / N.Sampath and after sanction of the prosecution from the competent authority, the __________Page 2 of 6

prosecution agency filed a charge sheet on the file of Chief Judicial magistrate, Tiruvannamalai numbered as Spl.C.C.No.01/2019, which is pending trial before the District Sessions Judge and re-numbered as Spl.C.C.No.21 of 2025. While so, for the very same allegation, department proceedings was initiated by issuing charge memo under the 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules on 06.08.2023 and pursuant to which, Enquiry Officer was appointed however, the Enquiry Officer has not conducted enquiry in a proper manner and without disclosing the witness, simply issued summons to the petitioner for his appearance and without conducting chief-examination, forced the petitioner to cross-examine the prosecution witness. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner made a representation on 09.12.2025 and 22.12.2025 and the same was not considered. Hence, the present writ petition is filed.

4. Learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that this Court may issue a direction to the Enquiry Officer to consider the petitioner's genuine grievance and pass appropriate orders and conduct enquiry in the manner known to law.

5. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the Enquiry Officer will conduct enquiry and pass appropriate orders within a specified time.

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6. In view of the same, the Enquiry Officer is directed to conduct the enquiry and pass appropriate orders within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after providing opportunity to the petitioner by disclosing the name of the prosecution witness for the next hearing date, by conducting chief-examination in the presence of petitioner and enable the petitioner to cross-examine the witness.

7. This Writ Petition is disposed of with the above terms. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 19-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order KKN __________Page 4 of 6

To

1. The DirectorAnimal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, No.571, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai-35.

2. The Enquiry Officer cum Deputy Director of (AH) cattle Breeding and Fodder Development, (Now Regional Joint Director (AH) With Additional Charge) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services) Vellore632 004.

3. Dr.N.Gopikreshna Enquiry Officer cum Deputy Director of (AH) Cattle Breeding and Fodder Development (Now Regional Joint Director (AH) With Additional Charge) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services) Vellore- 632 004. __________Page 5 of 6

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

KKN 19-01-2026 __________Page 6 of 6