C.Anandharaj v. The Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 11.12.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH C.Anandharaj ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Director, Tribal Welfare Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005
2. The Project Officer, Tribal Welfare, Harur, Dharmapuri District.
3. The District Collector, Collector Office, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order of the 3rd respondent passed in his proceedings vide in Na.Ka.No.gnk/m1-78-2020 dated 18.02.2020 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service with continuity of service and all other attendant benefits. For Petitioner : Mr.M.S.Ashok Kumar
for K.L.Sekar For Respondents : Mr.R.U.Dinesh Rajkumar Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed for quashment of the impugned order dated 18.02.2020 passed by the third respondent in Na.Ka.No.gnk/m1-782020 and to direct the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service with continuity of service and all other attendant benefits.
2. The case of the petitioner is that the second respondent appointed the petitioner as Jeep Driver by his proceedings dated 17.10.2018 on consolidate pay of Rs.12,000/- per month. Accordingly, he joined as Jeep Driver on 23.10.2017 in the second respondent office at Harur, Dharmapuri District. However, the 3rd respondent suddenly removed the petitioner from service on 18.02.2020 for certain misconduct committed by him. Aggrieved by the impugned order dated 18.02.2020, the petitioner has filed the present petition.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the third respondent had passed the impugned order without conducting any
enquiry, which is unsustainable. Hence, he prayed to reinstate the petitioner in service.
4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the petitioner was employed on a temporary basis on 17.10.2017 in the office of the Project Office, Tribal Welfare Department, Dharmapuri District. The 3rd respondent/District Collector, Dharmapuri District passed the impugned order dated 18.02.2020 against the petitioner for certain allegations levelled against him and the relevant portion in the impugned order is extracted below:
"5. He spoke disrespectfully against higher officials, disrupting the work environment.
6. Mr.Anandaraj attempted to disrupt the work of the current Project Officer, similar to his behaviour with the previous Project Officer, which affected the smooth functioning of his work.
7. Mr.Anandaraj was found to drive the office vehicle only from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm., arriving late on occasions when he was expected to report earlier. He also drove at high speeds to meet the time limit, which caused mental stress to the Project Officer. Despite being told to drive cautiously, he showed indifferences to the issue and insisted on hiring a full-
time driver according to his wishes."
5. In view of the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and this Court finds no illegality in the impugned order dated 18.02.2020 passed by the District Collector, Dharmapuri. The writ petition lacks merit and is liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs.
11.12.2024 mac Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order To
1. The Director, Tribal Welfare Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005
2. The Project Officer, Tribal Welfare, Harur, Dharmapuri District.
3. The District Collector, Collector Office, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District VIVEK KUMAR SINGH, J.
mac 11.12.2024