T.Haridass v. Union Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 02-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA T.Haridass Son of Thirumal Secretary of Puducherry Government Nursing Officers Association Having Office at 7-8 Moovender Street, Mullai Nagar Orleanpet, Puducherry 605005.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. Union Of India Rep. by the Secretary to Government Secretariat (Health) Govt. of Union Territory of Puducherry Puducherry 605001.
2. The Under Secretary (Health) Department of Health and Family Welfare Services Govt. of Union Territory of Puducherry Puducherry 605001.
3. The Director Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services Victor simmonel Street, Old Maternity Hospital Building Puducherry 605001.
4. The Medical Superintendent Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Puducherry 605001.
5. Dr.G.Anbusenthil Chief Medical Officer Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Puducherry 605001.
..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider and pass appropriate orders on the representation of the petitioner dated 24.09.2025 and direct the respondents to conduct a fair and impartial enquiry by a competent authority against the 5th Respondent. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.R.Saravanan For Respondent(s):
Mr.V.Vasanthakumar Special Government Pleader(Puducherry) Order This writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider and pass appropriate orders on the representation of the petitioner dated 24.09.2025 and to conduct a fair and impartial enquiry by a competent authority against the 5th respondent.
2. The petitioner would submit that he is the Secretary of an Association of Nursing Officers working at Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute (IGGGH & PGI), Puducherry. On 23.09.2024, a collective complaint signed by 66 Nursing Officers was submitted against the 5th respondent herein alleging repeated acts of humiliation, verbal abuse and hostile conduct towards Nursing Officers working in the hospital. Thereafter, the petitioner, in his capacity as Secretary of the Association, submitted a representation dated 24.09.2024 seeking appropriate action against the 5th respondent. Subsequently, the Association sent a representation dated 25.10.2024 to the 1st respondent seeking redressal of the grievances raised by the Nursing Officers.
3. Pursuant to the representations, a High-Level Committee was constituted by the Department vide order dated 21.10.2024. However, the Committee consisted entirely of officers belonging to the same departmental hierarchy as the 5th respondent, thereby raising serious concerns regarding the fairness and impartiality of the enquiry. The
Committee had issued a notice dated 08.11.2024 fixing a preliminary hearing on 11.11.2024. Before the Committe, 35 Nursing Officers had appeared and furnished statements substantiating the allegations made against the 5th respondent. Thereafter, no further communication regarding the progress or outcome of the enquiry was furnished to either the complainants or the Association. Subsequently, an application under the Right to Information Act was submitted on 24.01.2025 seeking copies of the statements recorded during the enquiry and the report of the Committee. The request was rejected on the ground that disclosure would impede the process of investigation.
4. While so, the petitioner came to understand that no formal, reasoned or consolidated enquiry report had been submitted by the Committee and that the authorities had allegedly decided not to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the 5th respondent. According to the petitioner, the enquiry process suffers from serious legal and factual infirmities. Therefore, the petitioner had submitted a detailed representation dated 24.09.2025 to the respondents requesting them to conduct a fresh, fair and impartial enquiry. However, the respondents have not issued any reply or taken any action on the representation.
Hence, the petitioner has approached this Hon'ble Court seeking the aforesaid relief.
5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader (Puducherry) appearing for respondents.
6. Considering the limited scope of the prayer sought in this writ petition, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.09.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
02-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN
To
1. The Secretary to Government Union of India, Secretariat (Health) Govt. of Union Territory of Puducherry Puducherry 605001.
2. The Under Secretary (health) Department of Health and Family Welfare Services Govt. of Union Territory of Puducherry Puducherry 605001.
3. The Director Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services Victor Simmonel Street, Old Maternity Hospital Building Puducherry 605001.
4. The Medical Superintendent Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Puducherry 605001.
P.T.ASHA J.
SRN 02-06-2026