M.Moorthi v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP Nos.13616, 13623, 13627, 13630, 13649, 13650, 13651, 13652, 13653, 13655 & 13658 of 2025 and WMP Nos.15281, 15282, 15289, 15290, 15294, 15295, 15301, 15302, 15320, 15321, 15322, 15323, 15324, 15325, 15326, 15327, 15328, 15329, 15330, 15331, 15333 & 15334 of 2025 W.P No.13616 of 2025 M.Moorthi S/o.Munusamy, Ambedkar Street, Nellima Nagar, Kozhumunivakkam, Mangadu Post, Kancheepuram District 600122.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by Secretary to Government, Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Fort St. George, Chennai 600009.
2. The Commissioner Commissionerate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Maligai, 4th and 5th Floor, Abdul Razack Street, Saidapet, Chennai 600015.
3. The District Collector Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District.
4. The Block Development Officer Villivakkam Panchayat Union, Villivakkam Chennai 600042.
5. The Special Officer Vanagaram Panchayat (1st Grade), Vanagaram, Chennai 600 095.
6. The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai 600003.
7. VPRC Magalir Kuzhu, Rep. by Ms.Eswari, C/o.The Special Officer, Vanagaram Panchayat, Chennai 600095.
..Respondent(s) PRAYER in W.P No.13616of 2025: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Declaration, declaring the action of the 5th respondent in changing the employment status of the petitioner and that the petitioner from that of direct employee to that of non-direct employee by changing the mode of payment of wages I.e from that of direct payment to that of indirect payment through the 7th respondent without following the due process of law as arbitrary, illegal and unjust and violative of Article 14, 16, 21 of the Constitution and hence, null and void and that the petitioner is deemed to have been confirmed in service by virtue of completion of more than 10 years of service and consequently direct the respondents to regularize his services and fix him in appropriate time scale of pay with effect from the date of his joining the service of the 5th respondent in October 2010 and pay him the arrears of salary and other attendant monetary benefits.
In all the writ petitions For Petitioner(s):
M/s.S.Ayyathurai For Respondent(s):
Mr.T.M.Rajangam for R1 to R3 Government Advocate Mr.M.Shajahan for R4 & R5 Special Government Pleader Ms.K.Aswini Devi for R6 Standing Counsel.
No Appearance for R7 COMMON ORDER These eleven writ petitions have been filed seeking a declaration, declaring the action of the 5th respondent in changing the employment status of the petitioners and that the petitioners from that of direct employee to that of non-direct employee by changing the mode of payment of wages I.e from that of direct payment to that of indirect payment through the 7th respondent without following the due process of law as arbitrary, illegal and unjust and violative of Article 14, 16, 21 of the Constitution and hence, null and void and that the petitioners are deemed to have been confirmed in service by virtue of
completion of more than 10 years of service and consequently direct the respondents to regularize their services and fix them in appropriate time scale of pay with effect from the date of their joining the service of the 5th respondent in October 2010, February 2012, August 2009, April 2015, October 2010, October 2009, June 2014, July 2015, April 2012, August 2008, and February 2019 respectively and pay them the arrears of salary and other attendant monetary benefits.
2.The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners were appointed and have been serving as sanitary workers from the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 under the 5th respondent, Vanagaram Panchayat. The 5th respondent Panchayat had also maintained service registers in respect of the petitioners. Subsequently, the 5th respondent Panchayat was merged with the Corporation. However, till date, the services of the petitioners have not been regularised. It is the further case of the petitioners that they submitted a representation dated 09.10.2023, along with similarly placed persons, to the 3rd respondent seeking regularisation of their services and grant of attendant benefits. Since the said representation has not been considered so far, the petitioners have approached this Court by filing the present writ petition.
3.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court is inclined to direct the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioners' representation dated 09.10.2023 and pass appropriate orders within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till the disposal of the representation, the first respondent is directed not to disengage the petitioners.
4. With the above direction, these eleven writ petitions stand disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 19-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA Note to Registry: Registry is directed to incorporate all the cause title along with prayer in the drafted order while issuing order copy to the parties.
To
1. The Secretary to Government, Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Fort St. George, Chennai 600009.
2. The Commissioner Commissionerate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Maligai, 4th and 5th Floor, Abdul Razack Street, Saidapet, Chennai 600015.
3. The District Collector Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District.
4. The Block Development Officer Villivakkam Panchayat Union, Villivakkam Chennai 600042.
5. The Special Officer Vanagaram Panchayat (1st Grade), Vanagaram, Chennai 600095.
6. The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai 600003.
7. VPRC Magalir Kuzhu, Rep. By Ms.Eswari, C/o.The Special Officer, Vanagaram Panchayat, Chennai 600095.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
UMA WP Nos.13616, 13623, 13627, 13630, 13649, 13650, 13651, 13652, 13653, 13655 & 13658 of 2025 and WMP Nos.15281, 15282, 15289, 15290, 15294, 15295, 15301, 15302, 15320, 15321, 15322, 15323, 15324, 15325, 15326, 15327, 15328, 15329, 15330, 15331, 15333 & 15334 of 2025 19-02-2026