A.Edward, v. The Principal Secretary To Government,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 17-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA
1. A.Edward, S/o.Abraham, No.151/7G, Mangammal Salai, Siraj Millath Nagar, TNHB Colony,Near Welcome Nagar, Tenkasi Post, Tenkasi District-627811.
2. Arulvani, W/o.Munisamy P No.29,Pambankikadu, Perundurai, Erode District.
3. Muthuraj, S/o.Gurusamy 1/46-2,Duraisamypuram, D.Kansapuram,Sivakasi, Kakkivadanpatti, Virudhunagar.
4. Mohideen Abdulkadar Jailani C/o.Abdul Howthali No.82,Thirumalai Koluthu Street, Alawarkurichi, Tirunelveli District.
5. Neerathilingam.P S/o.Ponnusamy No.7-47A,Vellaimuthu Pillai Sandhu, Sethur, Virudhunagar District.
6. P.Mari, S/o.Pandi No.1/118,Maravar Street, Keelakarai Post, Ramanathapuram District.
7. P.Sureshkumar S/o.Palanisamy No.3/22, Kangeyampalayam Ettery, Opp RVS Ladies Hostel Unit-2, Sulur, Coimbatore District.
8. A.T.Senthil S/o.Anandan No.5/107,Arumugam Nagar, Udumalaipettai, Tiruppur District.
9. Karthikeyan, S/o.Shanmugavel No.11B/2,Bodinaickenpatti, Nagal Nagar,Adiyanuthu, Dindugal District.
10.Satheeswaran S/o.Annamalai No.349,Taj Nagar, Kadachanallur Namakkal District.
..Petitioners Vs
1. The Principal Secretary to Government Home (Tr) VII Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
2. The Transport Commissioner Chepauk, Chennai-5. ..Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioners' representation dated 13.01.2026, by taking into account the proposals forwarded by the 2nd respondent vide proceedings dated 18.12.2017 and consequently regularize the services of the petitioners in the post of System Analyst/Programmer or any equivalent post on regular time scale of pay with all attendant service and monetary benefits, within a time frame fixed by this Court and pass orders.
For Petitioners:
Mr.K.Prabakaran For Respondents:
Mr.T.Chandrasekaran Special Government Pleader for R1 & R2
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed seeking the following relief : "To direct the respondents to consider the petitioners' representation dated 13.01.2026, by taking into account the proposals forwarded by the 2nd respondent vide proceedings dated 18.12.2017 and consequently regularize the services of the petitioners in the post of System Analyst/Programmer or any equivalent post on regular time scale of pay with all attendant service and monetary benefits, within a time frame fixed by this Court."
2. The petitioners herein would submit that in order to modernize and computerize the functioning of the Transport Department, upon approval from Government, the Transport Department had engaged the services of the petitioners herein and others in the post of System Analyst / Programmer and allied technical posts, through the empanelled manpower agencies namely M/s.Maruti Computer Agency and M/s.New Life Placements Pvt. Ltd., since 2005. Thereafter, they were posted in various Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and Unit Offices functioning under the administrative control of the 2nd respondent. The petitioners herein have put in continuous service, ranging from 10 to 15 years without any break.
3. Therefore, the 2nd respondent had forwarded the proposal to the 1st respondent to regularise the services of the petitioners on 18.12.2017. Upon receipt of the said proposal , the 1st respondent had sought for certain queries vide communication dated 21.01.2018, and the details were furnished by the 2nd respondent, despite which, no orders have been passed by the 1strespondent. While so, the agreement period also came to an end on 31.12.2018, and the services of the petitioner was discontinued, without considering their long years of dedicated services. This had resulted in severe financial hardship and loss to the livelihood of the petitioners. Hence, the petitioners are before this Court with individual representations seeking to regularize their services in the post of System Analyst/Programmer or any equivalent post on regular time scale of pay with all attendant service and monetary benefits,
4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners has brought to the notice of the Court that similarly placed persons have approached this Court in W.P.Nos.14782 and 19961 of 2020, seeking to regularise their services in the light of the proposal forwarded by the 2nd respondent on 18.12.2017 and obtained an order of this Court on 03.02.2021. This was challenged by the State in W.A.Nos.1920 and 1921 of 2021 and etc., batch. Though the writ appeal was allowed and order dated 03.02.2021 was set aside, the Division Bench had reiterated that the proposal sent by the 2nd respondent on 01.01.2018, which
inter alia states that the duties rendered by the System Analysts / Progammers / Date Entry Operators are perennial and are absolutely necessary for sanctioning of such posts, had directed the officials to consider and take a final decision on it. Hence, the petitioner's request may be considered and necessary orders be passed.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and also perused the materials on record.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and that the representations of the petitioners submitted in January 2026, have been kept pending till date without passing any orders, this Court directs the respondents to consider the representations of the petitioners after affording an opportunity of hearing to them, and pass speaking orders in accordance with law, within a period six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 17-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DS
To:
1. The Principal Secretary to Government Home (Tr) VII Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
2. The Transport Commissioner Chepauk, Chennai-5.
P.T.ASHA J.
DS 17-03-2026