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Madras High CourtWP/3035/2026disposed of with direction

P.Indira v. Government Of Tamil Nadu

2026-02-12Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP No. 3437 of 2026 P.Indira W/o.M.Marimuthu, No.20, Indira Nagar, Sunga Bye Pass Ramanathanpuram Coimbatore-641 045.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. Government of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary to Government Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009

2. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam Chennai-600 034.

..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the concerned records from the 1st resplendent and quash the order of suspension issued by the 1st respondent vide G.O.(D) No.306 dated 22.07.2025 as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to law and consequently, direct the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service with all attendant and monetary benefits. For Petitioner(s):

M/s.Balan Haridas For Respondent(s):

Mr.J.Ravindran, Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr.N.R.R.Arun Nataraj Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This petition has been filed challenging the order of suspension issued by the 1st respondent dated 22.07.2025 and seeking a direction to the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service with all attendant and monetary benefits. 2.The case of the petitioner is that she joined the respondent department on 18.01.1995 in the post of Junior Assistant and subsequently earned promotions to the post of Assistant, Inspector, Superintendent, Manager and ultimately to the post of Assistant Commissioner at Coimbatore pursuant to the order of promotion dated 14.10.2024. Whileso, based on a false complaint, she was implicated in a criminal case in Crime No.14 of 2025 for the offence under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Thereafter, the 1st respondent initiated disciplinary proceedings and placed the petitioner under suspension vide the impugned order dated 22.07.2025. The petitioner submitted a representation dated 05.01.2026 seeking revocation of her suspension on the ground that there was no basis for the criminal proceedings against her and that no charge sheet had been filed even after more than 90 days. However, the 1st respondent has not considered her request for revocation of suspension. The petitioner had been under prolonged suspension which is impermissible in law. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that this Court may issue a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 05.01.2026 and pass appropriate orders within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.

4.Per contra, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that pursuant to the order of suspension, a charge memo was issued on 30.01.2026. He would further submit that the disciplinary proceedings will be concluded, after providing an opportunity to the petitioner, by appointing an Enquiry Officer within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court. Since the petitioner is involved in a connected case, the suspension order cannot be revoked. Accordingly, he prayed for dismissal of the writ petition.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined to direct the 1st respondent to conclude the disciplinary proceedings within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If there is no legal impediment, the 1st respondent shall thereafter consider the petitioner's representation dated 05.01.2026 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of four weeks.

6.With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 12-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA To

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009

2. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam Chennai-600 034.

M.DHANDAPANI J.

UMA and WMP No. 3437 of 2026 12-02-2026