V.Santhasezhiyan v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 02.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.No.2962 of 2026 V.Santhasezhiyan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore - 632 009.

2.The Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

3.The Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Chennai - 600 016.

... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the first respondent impugned order passed in Roc.No.5930/2025/PA4 dated 16.12.2025 and quash impugned order passed in Roc. No.5930/2025/PA4 dated 16.12.2025 passed by the first respondent. 1/5

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Ramesh Manikandan For Respondents : Mr.P.Ganesan for R1 and R2 Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the first respondent's order in Roc.No.5930/2025/PA4 dated 16.12.2025 and quash the order in Roc.No.5930/2025/PA4 dated 16.12.2025 passed by the first respondent.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was initially appointed as Union Overseer Officer and was promoted as Junior Drafting Officer in the Rural Development Department at Vellore Collectorate. A case was registered against the petitioner in C.C.No.21 of 2024 for the offence under Sections 120(B), 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 of IPC r/w Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(c) and (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act before the learned Special Judge/ Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ranipet, Vellore and the same ended in conviction against the petitioner vide order dated 17.04.2025. Thereafter in exercise of the power conferred under Rule 17(c)(i)(1) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, the first respondent 2/5

passed the impugned order dated 16.12.2025, dismissing the petitioner from service.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that for dismissal of a convicted employee, the procedure contemplated in G.O.(Ms) No.36, Personnel and Administrative Reforms (N) Department, dated 09.03.2020, has to be followed, however, the said procedure was not strictly followed in the present case.

4.The learned Additional Government Pleader submitted that as per the said Government Order, prior to dismissal order, show cause notice must be issued and opportunity must be given to the concerned person. In the present case, show cause notice was issued to the petitioner and opportunity was given to the petitioner and thereafter the impugned order was passed.

5.Perusal of records reveal that prior to dismissal order, show cause notice was issued to the petitioner and opportunity was given to the petitioner. Hence, the impugned order warrants no interference. 3/5

6.The writ petition is dismissed. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to make representation to the respondents, if the criminal case ends in acquittal before the Appellate Court. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 02.02.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To 1.The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore - 632 009.

2.The Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

3.The Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Chennai - 600 016.

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M.DHANDAPANI,J.

pri And W.M.P.No.2962 of 2026 02.02.2026 5/5