K.Palani v. The Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 24.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and W.M.P.Nos.14494 & 14621 of 2025 K.Palani ....
Petitioner Vs 1.The Secretary to Government, Cooperative Food and Consumer Department, Fort St.George, Chennai.
2.The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Kilpauk, Chennai.
3.The Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Vellore.
4.The Managing Director, Vellore District Central Cooperative Bank, Vellore.
....
Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the order passed by the 1st respondent in Letter No.3123/CC2/2024-4 Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection (CP1) Department dated 24.02.2025 confirming his earlier order passed in G.O (Rt)No.14 Cooperation,
Food and Consumer Protection (CP1) Department dated 06.02.2014 order passed by the 3rd respondent in Na.Ka.No.3145/2012/A2 (Revision Petition No. 8/2012 A2) dated 16.07.2013 and order passed by the 4th respondent in Na.Ka.No.159/2011E1 dated 25.01.2012 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 2 to 4, to promote the petitioner as the Assistant General Manager, with effect from the date of the panel i.e.September 2022 onwards and all other attendant monetary benefits.
For Petitioner : Mr.L.P.Shanmugasundaram For R1 to R3 : Mr.M.Geetha Thamarai Selvam Special Government Pleader For R4 : Mr.M.Rajendran
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the order dated 24.02.2025 passed by the first respondent, thereby confirming the order dated 16.07.2013 passed by the third respondent and the order dated 25.01.2012 passed by the fourth respondent.
2.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
3.The petitioner was appointed as Assistant Manager in the Vellore District Central Co-operative Bank on 16.04.2008. While he was serving as Branch Manager in Odugathur Branch, he was served with a charge memo alleging he did not follow the due procedures in sanctioning jewel loans to the customers, as the jewels were not appraised by the branch jewel appraiser. It is stated that the jewel appraiser was in the habit of weighing the jewels without coming to the branch and was recommending for jewel loans. 4.The petitioner was issued show cause notice to which he submitted his explanation. However, the said explanation was found to be unsatisfactory and a domestic enquiry was conducted.
As per the report of the Enquiry Officer, both the charges were held to be proved and the petitioner was imposed with punishment of stoppage of increment for a period of three years with cumulative effect. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the third respondent and the punishment imposed by the fourth respondent was modified to the effect that the stoppage of increment for six months without cumulative effect. Once again, aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner filed a revision before the first respondent and the said revision was dismissed, confirming the order passed by the third respondent.
5.Thereafter, the petitioner was temporarily promoted to the post of Manager on 09.06.2015. However, his name was omitted from the panel for promotion to the post of Manager cadre and he was overlooked, and consequently his juniors were promoted. The findings of both the fact findings committees confirmed the order passed by the fourth respondent and his challenge was also dismissed. Therefore, the matter does not require any interference under judicial scrutiny. This Court can interfere with an order of punishment only if it is passed without jurisdiction, in violation of principles of natural justice and against the law. The petitioner has failed to substantiate any of the above grounds.
6.That apart, on perusal of the counter filed by the fourth respondent and also the submissions made on his behalf, it is evident that the petitioner himself admitted the allegations during the enquiry and all the charges were categorically proved as against the petitioner. 7.In view of the above, this Court finds no infirmity or illegality in the order passed by the first respondent. Thus, the writ petition lacks merits and
is liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.
24.11.2025 Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Lpp To 1.The Secretary to Government, Cooperative Food and Consumer Department, Fort St.George, Chennai.
2.The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Kilpauk, Chennai.
3.The Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Vellore.
4.The Managing Director, Vellore District Central Cooperative Bank, Vellore.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, Lpp 24.11.2025