K.Murugan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.Nos.8046 & 8047 of 2026
1. K.Murugan S/o.K.Kuzhandaivel, No.70, arasu Uzhiyar Nagar Extension, Thantahai Periyar Nagar, villupuram 605 401.
2. S.Lakshmanan, S/o.Sivaperumal, B/4, TNHB Quarters, Vadaveeran Naicken Patti, Theni District.
3. M.Sivakumar S/o.Murugesan, Mettupatti Thirukattalai Post, Aalangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District.
4. Saravanan, Skilled Asst., Grade -II, District Differently Abled Welfare Office, Thirunelveli District.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Commissionerate for the welfare of Differently Abled, No.5, Kamarajar Salai, Lady Wellington College Campus, Chennai 600 005.
..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the impugned
Circular dated 12/02/2026 bearing Na.Ka.No.00532 / Admn -4 /2026 issued by the 2nd Respondent and quash the same as illegal and against the G.O.Ms.No.3 dated 14/02/2022 and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to draw the panel list for the promotion to the post of Skilled Assistant Grade -I from the post of Skilled Assistant Grade -II as on 01/07/2025 and there after to prepare a fresh list for promotion to the post of Junior Rehabilitation Officer. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.S.Kartik For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.U.Dinesh Rajkumar, AGP
ORDER
The impugned Circular dated 12.02.2026 bearing Na.Ka.No.00532 / Admn -4 /2026 issued by the second respondent, is put under challenge in the present Writ Petition. Further, the petitioners have sought for a direction to the second respondent to draw the panel list for the promotion to the post of Skilled Assistant Grade -I from the post of Skilled Assistant Grade -II as on 01.07.2025 and thereafter to prepare a fresh list for promotion to the post of Junior Rehabilitation Officer.
2. Heard the learned counsels appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.
3. The brief facts of the case is as follows: 3.1. The petitioners are working as Skilled Assistant Grade-II in the Directorate of Welfare of Differently Abled Department. Though the petitioners have put in service for more than 25 years, there was no promotion. However, the first respondent issued G.O.(Ms) No.3 dated 14.02.2022 by creating promotional avenue from the Skilled Assistant Grade-II to District Welfare Officer. The petitioners' next level of promotion is Skilled Assistant Grade-I, for which they should possess ten years of service. Till now the panel was not drawn and the crucial date for their promotional panel is 1st July every year. In the meanwhile, the second respondent issued a circular dated 12.02.2026, enlisting promotion to the post of Junior Rehabilitation Officer by fixing the crucial date as 01.09.
2025, without drawing the promotional panel to the Skilled Assistant Grade-I and hence, objecting the same, the petitioners made a representation on 13.02.2026, however there was inaction on part of the respondents. Challenging the said circular dated 12.02.2026, the present Writ Petition has been filed.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the first petitioner is a differently abled person and the petitioners herein were directly recruited persons. He further submitted that this Court may issue a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation with regard to the
enlistment of promotional panel for the post of Skilled Assistant Grade-I and prayed for appropriate orders.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also taking note of the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court directs the petitioners to make a fresh representation to the respondents ventilating all their grievances within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Upon receipt of the same, the second respondent shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks therefrom.
6. With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.
7. WMP.No.8045 of 2026 filed by the petitioners to permit them to file a Single Writ Petition is allowed subject to payment of a Single Court fee. 27-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP
To
1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Commissionerate for the welfare of Differently Abled, No.5, Kamarajar Salai, Lady Wellington College Campus, Chennai 600 005.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
DP 27-02-2026