M.Thiruneelakantan v. S.Swarama

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 10.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR in Contempt Petition No.2420 of 2023 M.Thiruneelakantan Section Officer (Retd) Public Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

... Petitioner vs.

1.

Dr.S.Swarna Secretary to Government Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department Now Human Resources Management Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2.

Thiru.N.Muruganandam Secretary to Government Finance Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

... Respondents Sub Application filed under Section 151 CPC, praying to reopen the Contempt Petition No.2420 of 2023 dated 05.01.2024. Page Nos.1/4

For Petitioner :

Mr.T.Ranganathan For Respondents :

Mr.M.Suresh Kumar Additional Advocate General assisted by Mrs.R.L.Karthika, Government Advocate *****

O R D E R

The subject matter of the present contempt petition is the order dated 27.02.2017 passed by this Court in W.P.No.27647 of 2013. By the said order, G.O.Ms.No.112 dated 13.07.2012 was quashed insofar as it related to the direction for upgradation/stepping up of pay on par with juniors in one unit, as referred to in paragraph No.6 thereof. Consequently, a direction was issued to the respondents to extend similar benefits to the petitioner, as granted to the promotees from the post of Assistant under G.O.Ms.No.154 dated 30.10.2009, by making necessary amendments to G.O.Ms.No.112 dated 13.07.2012.

2. Pursuant to the directions issued by this Court, the petitioner was granted benefits by amending G.O.Ms.No.112 dated 13.07.2012 through the issuance of G.O.Ms.No.31 dated 01.03.2017. By the said Government Page Nos.2/4

Order, the monetary benefits were extended from the date of issuance of the said order.

3. Mr. Sureshkumar, learned Additional Advocate General, submitted that, pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.31 dated 01.03.2017, one Saraswathi, who was similarly placed, was also issued a Government Order extending the benefits from the date of issuance of G.O.Ms.No.31 dated 01.03.2017, and that this Court had closed the contempt petition holding that the order had been fully complied with.

4. Per contra, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that a categorical direction had been issued by the writ Court directing the respondents to grant the benefits to the petitioner on par with the promotees from the post of Assistant under G.O.Ms.No.154 dated 30.10.2009. However, the respondents have extended the benefits only from the date of issuance of G.O.Ms.No.31 dated 01.03.2017, instead of granting the benefits as directed by this Court. Therefore, it is submitted that the respondents have not complied with the categorical direction issued by this Court. Page Nos.3/4

5. In the light of the above, Sub.A.No.1292 of 2024 stands allowed and the contempt petition is restored to file.

6. At this stage, the learned Additional Advocate General, seeks time to secure instructions and to make further submissions. Post the matter on 26.02.2026.

10.02.2026 mk in Contempt Petition No.2420 of 2023 Page Nos.4/4