The State Of Tamil Nadu v. Harikrishna R.R.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 21.04.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G. ARUL MURUGAN 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. By its Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009 2.The Driectorate of Medical Education rep. By the Director of Medical Education, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010 3.The Directorate of Medical & Rural Health Services, rep. By the Director of Medical Health & Rural Health Services, 359, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006 4.The Directorate of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, rep. By the Director of Public health & Preventive Medicine, 359, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006 5.Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College & Hospital, rep. By its Dean, Salem 636 002 : Appellants versus Dr.Harikrishna, R.R.
No.41-A1, Venkateshnagar, 1st Street, Kovilpatti, Lakshmipuram, Thoothukudi District 626502 : Respondent
Prayer: Appeal filed against the order in WP No.13978 of 2024 dated 24.05.2024.
For Appellants :
Mrs.M.Sneha, Special Counsel For Respondent :
Ms.K.Dhivyashree
JUDGMENT
(Judgment of the Court was delivered by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This appeal has been filed by the State, being aggrieved by the observation made by the learned Single Judge in the order dated 24.05.2024, in W.P.No.13978 of 2024, that the Covid duty performed by respondent shall be treated as bond service and the consequential direction to appellants to return the original certificates to respondent without any delay.
2. Learned counsel for respondent submits that respondent, who has not served the bond period, is ready to serve, provided posting orders are issued by appellants within time frame.
3. Learned Special Counsel relies on the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in the case of Dr.K.Ambika v. The State of
Tamil Nadu [W.A.No.2583 of 2024 dated 20.11.2024], wherein, the Division Bench held that Covid service cannot be construed as bond service and therefore, the respondent is required to serve the remaining period of the bond service.
4. In the light of the above, the writ appeal is allowed, setting aside the order of the learned Single Judge, on the following terms: (a) The respondent shall report to the Director of Public Health for issuance of posting order and thereafter, the respondent shall complete the bond service;
(b) Appellants are directed to issue posting orders to the respondent for serving the remaining period, within a period of two weeks from the date of reporting. (c) There shall be no order as to costs.
(d) Consequently, CMP No.12034 of 2025 is closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G. ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 21.04.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar
To 1.The Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009 2.The Director of Medical Education, Driectorate of Medical Education Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010 3.The Director of Medical Health & Rural Health Services, Directorate of Medical & Rural Health Services, 359, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006 4.The Director of Public health & Preventive Medicine, Directorate of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, 359, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006 5.The Dean, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College & Hospital, Salem 636 002
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G. ARUL MURUGAN , J.
(tar) 21.04.2026