K.Arumugam v. Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 06.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI W.P. No.4135 of 2026 and WMP.No.4616 of 2026 K.Arumugam ... Petitioner Vs 1.GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU Represented by its Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009 2.Additional Chief Secretaries/ Commissioner of Land Reforms, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005 3.The District Collector, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur 602 001 4.The Tahsildar, Uthukottai - Taluk, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur 602 026 5.The District Employment Officer, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur 602 001 ... Respondents Prayer :
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Mandamus Directing the 1st Respondent herein to relax the rule in the upper age limit in favour of the petitioner and for the appointment to the post Village Assistant and consequently direct to the 4th Respondent to
appoint the petitioner as Village Assistant in Uthukottai Taluk and appoint him any of the existing vacancy in Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur and to grant him all consequential benefits For petitioner : Mr.M.Ravi For Respondents : Mr.P.Balathandayudham, Special Government Pleader
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed for direction to the 1st Respondent herein to relax the rule in the upper age limit in favour of the petitioner and for the appointment to the post Village Assistant and consequently to direct the 4th Respondent to appoint the petitioner as Village Assistant in Uthukottai Taluk and appoint him in any of the existing vacancy in Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur and to grant him all consequential benefits 2.
The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner's litigation has chequered history. It emanated from 2010 onwards. Further, he intended to participate in the recruitment for the post of Village Assistant from 2004 onwards. Ultimately in the last case, he filed writ petition in WP.No.12132 of 2022 and this Court by its order dated 03.07.2023 issued direction to the petitioner to participate in the selection pursuant to the notification dated 07.01.2022 issued by the fourth respondent, if otherwise
qualified. However, in the meanwhile the entire selection process was completed in the above said notification thereby the petitioner filed writ appeal before this Court in WA.No.2762 of 2023 and this Court dismissed the writ appeal by order dated 15.10.2025 confirming the order passed by the learned Single Judge and subsequently, review petition was filed and the same was also dismissed. However, the respondent recently issued notification dated 22.07.2025 for recruitment to the post of Village Assistant and thereby seeking relaxation in respect of the educational qualification and age, this writ petition has been filed.
3.
The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that right from 2010, the petitioner agitated with regard to the post of Village Assistant. However, the petitioner is not successful. Finally, this Court issued direction to the respondents to permit him to participate in the selection process for the post of Village Assistant pursuant to the notification dated 07.01.2022. However, at the time of passing the order, selection process was completed in the earlier selection. Hence, this Court may issue necessary direction to the respondents with regard to relaxation in respect of educational qualification as well as age. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate orders.
4.
Per contra, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that though the Government have power to relax the age, however, they have no power to relax the educational qualification for the post. The educational qualification required for the post of Village Assistant is SSLC, whereas the petitioner secured only 6th standard. 5.
Hence, this Court is of the view that the petitioner is not eligible in respect of educational qualification. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs.
06.02.2026 Index :Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order : Yes/No lok
To 1.GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU Represented by its Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009 2.Additional Chief Secretaries/ Commissioner of Land Reforms, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005 3.The District Collector, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur 602 001 4.The Tahsildar, Uthukottai - Taluk, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur 602 026 5.The District Employment Officer, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur 602 001
M. DHANDAPANI, J.
lok W.P.No.4135 of 2026 06.02.2026