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Madras High CourtWP/17401/2026disposed of

S.Ganesh Perumal v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

2026-06-02Honourable Ms. Justice P.T. Asha6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA WP No. 17401 of 2026 S.Ganesh Perumal S/o.S.Selvaraj, Executive Engineer (RD) Deputation at National Health Mission Tamil nadu, DMS Campus, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai-600 006 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Rural development and Panchayat Raj Department,Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009

2. The Commissioner Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015 ..Respondent(s) This writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider and include the name of the petitioner in the panel for promotion to the post of Superintending Engineer for the year 2020-2021 strictly in accordance with the merit-based revised seniority as settled pursuant to the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Cont. Petn (Civil) No.638 of 2017 dated 01.10.2021 and consequently promote the petitioner as Superintending Engineer with all

attendant service and monetary benefits, including seniority, on par with junior in consideration of representation submitted by the petitioner dated 11.09.2025, within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court. For Petitioner(s):

Mr. C.Mariappan For Respondent(s):

Mr. V.Sivalingam, Government Advocate

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to include the name of the petitioner in the panel for promotion to the post of Superintending Engineer for the year 2020-2021 pursuant to the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Contempt Petition(Civil) No.638 of 2017, dated 01.10.2021, and consequently promote the petitioner as Superintending Engineer with all attendant service and monetary benefits, including seniority, on par with Junior, considering the petitioner's representation dated 11.09.2025.

2. The case of the petitioner is that he was appointed as an Assistant Engineer through direct recruitment by TNPSC on 07.12.1988 in the Rural Development Department. Based on roster seniority, he was promoted to the post of Assistant Executive Engineer on 15.08.2007. Accordingly, the

promotional benefits were governed by the then prevailing roster-based seniority system. Subsequently, in a batch of writ petitions including W.P.No.998 of 2016, this Court, by order dated 15.11.2019, directed refixation of seniority based on merit in selection, i.e., the marks secured in TNPSC examination. The said order was affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the appeal was dismissed on 06.07.2020. Pursuant to the further directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Contempt Petition No.638 of 2017 dated 01.10.2021, TNPSC revised the seniority list on merit basis. Consequently, the petitioner's seniority was revised from Rank No.172 to Rank No.10, thereby placing him above his junior Mr.A.Kuttalingam. Thereafter, the panel for the post of Assistant Executive Engineer was revised in G.O.Ms.No.42 dated 25.03.

2022, wherein the petitioner was placed at serial No.10, above his Junior, and was granted notional benefits accordingly. Subsequently, the panel for promotion to Executive Engineer for the year 20092010 was revised in G.O.Ms.No.6 dated 06.01.2024, wherein the petitioner was placed at Serial No.5 again above his junior, and was promoted accordingly. 2(i). The grievance of the petitioner is that for further promotion to the post of Superintending Engineer for the year 2020-21, the petitioner's name was omitted, whereas his junior Mr.A.Kuttalingam, was included in the panel under G.O.Ms.No.78 dated 15.03.

seniority. The petitioner submitted a representation dated 11.09.2025 seeking rectification of the said anomaly, Since the representation has not been considered so far, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on records.

4. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 11.09.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 02-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MRP

To

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu Rural development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009

2. The Commissioner Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015

P.T.ASHA, J.

MRP WP No. 17401 of 2026 02-06-2026