Amaravathi v. The Engineer-In-Chief
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated : 02.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 6105 of 2026 & W.M.P.No. 6608 of 2026 1.Amaravathi 2.S.Indiran ...petitioners Vs.
1.The Engineer-in-Chlef & Chief Engineer (General), Water Resources Department, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
2.The Chief Engineer, Coimbatore Region, Water Resources Department, Coimbatore - 641 001.
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3. The Superintending Engineer, Bhavani Basin Circle, Water Resources Department, Erode - 638 011.
4.The Executive Engineer, Bhavanisagar Dam Division, Water Resources Department, Bhavanisagar - 638 451, Erode District 5.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, Irrigation Sub-Division, Gobichettipalayam, Erode District.
...Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant an appointment on compassionate ground due to the death of the 2nd petitoner's father R.Subburaj, who died in harness on 31.05.2013 by considering the 2nd petitioner's application dated 13.03.2023 and 1st petitioner's representation dated 06.01.2026. 2/9
For Petitioners :
Mr. R.T.Vishnu For Respondents :
Mr. T.Chandrasekaran Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To direct the respondents to grant an appointment on compassionate ground due to the death of the 2nd petitoner's father R.Subburaj, who died in harness on 31.05.2013 by considering the 2nd petitioner's application dated 13.03.2023 and 1st petitioner's representation dated 06.01.2026. "
2. The 2nd petitioner's father R.Subburaj was working as a 'Mazdoor' in Vanipudur Irrigation Section under the 5th respondent. He died on 31.05.2013, due to heart attack during his service period leaving behind him the 1st and 2nd petitioners, along with his mother as his legal heirs.
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3. It is the case of the petitioners that the 1st petitioner is an illiterate and she had made a representation dated 09.08.2013 to the 5th respondent requesting him to grant an appointment on compassionate ground to the 2nd petitioner. The 5th respondent had sent a communication dated 28.02.2014, instructing the 1st petitioner to submit an application with necessary documents after the 2nd petitioner attains the age of 18.
4. The petitioners would submit that the 2nd petitioner had attained the age of majority, completed diploma course in Mechanical Engineering (D.M.E.,) in the year 2022 in Sri Ranganathar Institute of Polytechnic College, Athipalayam, Coimbatore. The 2nd petitioner had also obtained No Objection from his grandmother, Kanammal and his mother, the 1st petitioner for the grant compassionate appointment to the 2nd petitioner.
5. The 2nd petitioner had also obtained integrated certificate for compassionate appointment on 15.11.2022 from the Revenue 4/9
Divisional Officer, Sathyamangalam. Thereafter, the 2nd petitioner had submitted an application dated 13.03.2023 to the 5th respondent enclosing all the necessary documents. The 5th respondent had forwarded his application to the 4th respondent for consideration. The application was duly verified and forwarded to the 1st respondent.
6. The 1st respondent had raised some queries and returned the application to the petitioner. Thereafter, the 1st petitioner had once again sent a representation dated 06.01.2026 to the respondents 1, 4 and 5 requesting them to grant compassionate appointment to the 2nd petitioner. Aggrieved by the inaction on the side of the respondents, the petitioners are before this Court.
7. Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.
8. The 2nd petitioner's father had died on 31.05.2013 and at that point in time, the 2nd petitioner has not attained the age of majority. After attaining the age of majority the 2nd petitioner has made an 5/9
application and the same has been returned.
9. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and taking note of the fact that the respondents have been communicating and asking the petitioners to submit relevant documents, the respondents are directed to consider the 2nd petitioner's application for compassionate appointment and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of 1 month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
10. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.
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To 1.The Engineer-in-Chlef & Chief Engineer (General), Water Resources Department, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
2.The Chief Engineer, Coimbatore Region, Water Resources Department, Coimbatore - 641 001.
3. The Superintending Engineer, Bhavani Basin Circle, Water Resources Department, Erode - 638 011.
4.The Executive Engineer, Bhavanisagar Dam Division, Water Resources Department, Bhavanisagar - 638 451, Erode District 7/9
5.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, Irrigation Sub-Division, Gobichettipalayam, Erode District.
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P.T. ASHA, J kan 02.03.2026 9/9