S.Deepa v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE C.V. KARTHIKEYAN W.P.No.6512 of 2025 and W.M.P. Nos.7169, 7170 and 7171 of 2025 S. Deepa (Village Administrative Officer) ... Petitioner vs

1. The District Collector, Coimbatore District.

Coimbatore 641 018.

2. The District Revenue Officer, Coimbatore District, Coimbatore 641 018.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Coimbatore North, Coimbatore 641 030.

4. The Tahsildar (Taluk Office), Coimbatore North, Coimbatore 641 018

...Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ, Order or direction or any other writ in the nature of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus Calling for the records relating to the impugned Transfer order passed by the 1st Respondent in CLR.REV. 1356/ 2024/A4 dated 08/02/ 2025 and to quash the impugned 1/6

transfer order passed by the 1st respondent in CLR. REV 1356/ 2024/A4 dated 08/02/2025 with respect to the petitioner and also to quash the consequential relieving order proceedings in Na.Ka. 17/ 2025/ A4 dated 12/02/2025 passed by the 4th respondent with respect to the petitioner and thereby allowing the petitioner to be reinstated in the Ganapathy (West) village, Coimbatore North Taluk as village Administrative officer.

For Petitioner : Mr. L. Pachiyappan For Respondents : Mr. V. Nanmaran, Additional Government Pleader.

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a certiorarified mandamus questioning the transfer order passed by the first respondent dated 08.02.2025 and to quash the same and also to quash the consequential relieving proceedings with respect to the petitioner.

2. The writ petitioner is functioning as a Village Administrative Officer in Coimbatore District. It is stated that a Division Bench of this Court had examined the issue of illegal mining and quarrying in Coimbatore District and, in a batch of matters, had directed the District Collector of Coimbatore, to take a decision relating to either suspend the 2/6

Tahsildars, Revenue Inspectors and Village Administrative Officers or to transfer them to any other place.

3. It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the place in which the petitioner was functioning as Village Administrative Officer was not the focus of attention so far as allegation of illegal mining is concerned. It is therefore contended that the petitioner had been vindictively transferred from the existing place of service to another place. That is the issue of fact and this Court can never examine whether there was an illegal mining and even whether there was mining or whether it was illegal or lawful and whether the petitioner had complicity in such illegal mining. These are issues of facts. But, the right and authority of the District Collector to transfer a Village Administrative Officer can never be called in question by this Court or by the petitioner herein.

4. It is contended that the petitioner has joined the new place of posting. If the petitioner is of the opinion that the transfer is vindictive in nature, then, a separate representation may be given. But the Court can never quash the order of transfer. It is also informed, as stated earlier, the 3/6

petitioner has now joined the new place of posting and if the petitioner is not comfortable in the new place, then, she has a better option, namely, to resign from the post and walk away from the post. This will give an opportunity to another individual to get a Government employment. I am not inclined to interfere with the order of transfer.

5. In the result, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. Internet : Yes / No Index: Yes / No Speaking order / Non speaking order Bga 4/6

To

1. The District Collector, Coimbatore District.

Coimbatore 641 018.

2. The District Revenue Officer, Coimbatore District, Coimbatore 641 018.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Coimbatore North, Coimbatore 641 030.

4. The Tahsildar (Taluk Office), Coimbatore North, Coimbatore 641 018 5/6

C.V. KARTHIKEYAN, J.

bga W.P.No.6512 of 2025 and W.M.P. Nos.7169, 7170 and 7171 of 2025 6/6