R.Geetha v. The Principal Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 21.02.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN AND WMP NOS.3606 AND 21360 OF 2024 R.Geetha D/o.R.Radhakrishnan No.10, Murugan Nagar, Nallampakkam Kandigai, Chengalpet District - 600 048.

...

Petitioner VS.

1.The Principal Secretary to Government Youth Welfare and Sports Development Dept., Secretariat, Chennai - 9.

2.The Member Secretary Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu (SDAT) and Director (Ex Officio) Youth Welfare Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai - 600 003.

...

Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records of the 2nd 1/6

respondent in Proc.No.6863/HR1A/2023 dated 26.01.2024 and quash the same.

For Petitioner :

Ms.V.Kaanchana For Respondent-1 :

Ms.A.Bakkialakshmi Government Advocate For Respondent-2 :

Ms.N.S.Tanvi

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Certiorari seeking records of the second respondent in Proc.No.6863/HR1A/2023 dated 26.01.2024 and to quash the same.

2.Heard Ms.V.Kaanchana, learned counsel for the petitioner, Ms.A.Bakkialakshmi, learned Government Advocate for the first respondent and Ms.N.S.Tanvi, learned Standing Counsel for the second respondent.

3.I must deeply appreciate the sanguine manner in which the learned counsel for the petitioner Ms.V.Kaanchana, and Ms.N.S.Tanvi, learned Standing Counsel for the second respondent, presented the matter before this Court. This Court also extends this appreciation to 2/6

Ms.A.Bakkialakshmi, learned Government Advocate for the first respondent.

4.The issue relates to an order of transfer of the petitioner from Vellore to Tiruvallur. In fact, the petitioner had sought to be transferred to any region near or surrounding Chennai, as her mother is unwell. The respondents decided to transfer her to Tiruvallur. The matter could have rested at that stage, but the petitioner raised a grievance. 5.According to the petitioner, she joined as a Coach under the second respondent and thereafter, she was promoted to the position of District Sports and Youth Welfare Officer, as per the proceedings of the second respondent dated 06.02.2019. Unfortunately, the order of such promotion was later revisited and the petitioner was re-categorized as a Coach.

6.The petitioner filed a Writ Petition in W.P.No.28653 of 2022, and an order of interim stay had been granted regarding the re-categorization. The petitioner was then promoted as Senior Coach (in 3/6

the rank of Manager) and posted as Manager in the Sports Hostel in Vellore District. She was quite satisfied with the post. However, when the transfer order came, she was once again termed as "Coach", which aggravated the grievance. Additionally, she was directed to report to the District Sports Youth Officer in Tiruvallur, an officer of equal rank. Therefore, the petitioner, has sought to quash the said order has filed the Writ Petition.

7.I am very fortunate that Ms.N.S.Tanvi, learned Standing Counsel for the second respondent, and, of course, Ms.A.Bakkialakshmi, learned Government Advocate for the first respondent, appreciated the stand of the petitioner herein. The issue was primarily with respect to the designation given in the transfer order and the officer to whom the petitioner was directed to report.

8.The learned Standing Counsel for the second respondent, Ms.N.S.Tanvi, had a discussion with the second respondent and stated that the nomenclature of Coach would not be used to the disadvantage of the petitioner at any future time. She also stated that as an alternative, the 4/6

petitioner could report to the Regional Senior Manager, Chennai, who exercises control over the Tiruvallur District. The order of transfer is however maintained.

9.The Writ Petition is disposed of, with the hope that the petitioner's grievances have now been addressed. She can now report to the Regional Senior Manager, Chennai and then report at Tiruvallur on or before 28.02.2025. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

21.02.2025 Index : Yes / No : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No TK 5/6

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

TK To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government Youth Welfare and Sports Development Dept., Secretariat, Chennai - 9.

2.The Member Secretary Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu (SDAT) and Director (Ex Officio) Youth Welfare Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai - 600 003.

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