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Madras High CourtWP/2356/2026disposed of with direction

P.Nagaraju v. The State Of Tamil, Nadu

2026-01-29Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 29-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI P.Nagaraju S/o parasuraman, 6/384 M. Sri srinivasa Garden 3rd street, Pattanam, Ondipudur via, Sulur T.K Coimbatore district 641 016 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State of Tamil, Nadu Rep by its Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai 9

2. Chief Engineer (buildings) and chief Engineer (General) Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai 5

3. The Engineer - in - chief (EIC) Water Resources Organization (WRO) Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai 5 ..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking to issue a Writ of mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to determine appropriate seniority of the petitioner in the Assistant Executive Engineer post, thereby including the petitioner in the 2003-2004 promotion panel for all purpose including monetary benefits by considering proposal of the 3rd respondent dated 06.10.2017 within a time to be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner(s):

Mr. P.Ganesan For Respondent(s):

Mr. S.Balamurugan, Govt.Adv.

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 2nd respondent to determine appropriate seniority of the petitioner in the post of Assistant Executive Engineer and to include his name in the 2003-2004 promotion panel with all consequential and monetary benefits, by considering the proposal of the 3rd respondent dated 06.10.2017 within a time to be stipulated by this Court 2 The case of the petitioner is that he joined in the Public Works Department as a Draftsman on 22.7.1981 and was promoted as Junior Engineer with effect from 01.09.1999. His service as Junior Engineer ought to have been regularised after one year, from 01.09.2000, but the same was not done. Only in 2013, just before the Assistant Executive Engineer promotion panel was

approved, his service was regularised, retrospectively with effect from 01.09.2000 and retired on 30.06.2017 afer about 2.5 years. The petitioner sought a seniority order, as he would have been eligible for the reserved quota in the Assistant Executive Engineer promotion panel for the year 2003-2004 or 2004-2005, had his Junior Engineer service been regularised on time. On 06.10.2017, the 3rd respondent also requested the 2nd respondent to pass suitable order of the petitioner's request stating that as per G.O. (D) No.560, Public Works (A) Department, dated 26.11.2005, promotion to the post of Assistant Executive Engineer is to be made from the subordinate posts of Assistant Engineer/ Junior Engineer/ Draughtsman, according to the seniority list approved for the year 2003-2004. He made representations on 21.04.2017, 23.08.2017 and 25.10.2018 to the 3rd respondent requesting allocation under the quota and determination of seniority to include him in the 2003-2004 or 20042005 promotion panel. However, no order has been passed till date. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.10.2018, within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.

4.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court, directs the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.10.2018, and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above direction, this writ petition stand disposed of. No costs. 29-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA

To

1. The Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai 9

2. Chief Engineer (buildings) and Chief Engineer (General) Public Works Department, Chepauk chennai 5

3. The Engineer - in - Chief (EIC) Water Resources Organization (WRO) Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai 5

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

UMA 29-01-2026