S.Thangamuthu v. The General Manager
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 05-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA S.Thangamuthu S/o. Senkottaian Door No. 2/113 Chillan Thottam, Palampalayam, Punnam Post, Bhavani Taluk, Erode District - 638 312.
..Petitioner Vs
1. The General Manager Tamil Nadu Government State Transport Corporation (Kovai) Ltd., Erode Zone, Chennaimalai Road, Erode District.
2. The General Manager Tamil Nadu Government State Transport Corporation (Kovai) Ltd., Coimbatore zone, Coimbatore.
..Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for records relating to the Impugned order in Ka.No. 884/ B1/ PaB1/ TNGTC/ Co/ EZ/ 2026 dated 08.04.2026 on the file of the 1st respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the 1st respondent to select the petitioner to the post of Driver cum Conductor in Tamil Nadu Government Transport corporation (Kovai) Ltd., by virtue of Certificate of Physical Fitness issued by the Civil Surgeon, Government Head- quarters Hospital, Erode within the time frame that may be fixed by this Court and pass orders.
For Petitioner:
Mr.S.Arokia Mani Raj For Respondents:
Mr.M.Murali Vinodh Standing Counsel
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed seeking the following relief : " To call for records relating to the Impugned order in Ka.No. 884/ B1/ PaB1/ TNGTC/ Co/ EZ/ 2026 dated 08.04.2026 on the file of the 1st respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the 1st respondent to select the petitioner to the post of Driver cum Conductor in Tamil Nadu Government Transport corporation (Kovai) Ltd., by virtue of Certificate of Physical Fitness issued by the Civil Surgeon, Government Head- quarters Hospital, Erode within the time frame that may be fixed by this Court."
2. The case of the petitioner is that he had studied in Government High School, Erode, in Tamil Medium and passed 10th standard. He possessed the Conductor License as well as Driving Licence issued by the Licensing Authority. He had an experience of 8 years in driving in a private bus company. The petitioner would submit that the 1st respondent had called for applications for the post of Driver cum Conductor and he had applied for the same through online on 16.04.2025. The petitioner was called for personal interview and he attended the interview on 29.09.2025. During the interview, the authorities had verified the certificates and records of the petitioner, which includes the Physical Fitness Certificate
dated 13.09.2025 issued by the Junior Assistant Surgeon, Government Headquarters Hospital, Erode, certifying that the petitioner was of the height 165 cms and weight of 59 kgs. The petitioner would contend that no test drive and driving skill test was conducted to him during the interview on 29.09.2025. Thereafter, the petitioner had sent a representation on 15.10.2025 to the 1st respondent requesting to conduct an interview afresh. Since his representation was not considered by the respondents, the petitioner had approached this Court by filing W.P.No.1579 of 2026,, which was disposed of by an order dated 21.01.2026, wherein this Court had directed the 1st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner within a stipulated time.
3. Pursuant to the orders of this Court, the first respondent had conducted a personal interview 03.04.2026, in which the petitioner was subjected to physical fitness test once again and was found to possess the height of 159.2 cms and weight of 55kgs, which according to the first respondent, the petitioner did not possess the required height of 160 cms., for the post of driver cum conductor. Ultimately, the first respondent had passed the impugned order dated 08.04.2026 rejecting the candidature of the petitioner. Aggrieved by the impugned order, the petitioner is before this Court.
4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and also perused the materials placed on record.
5. The petitioner has challenged the impugned order rejecting his representation dated 15.10.2025, wherein the petitioner had sought for an interview afresh based on the physical fitness certificate dated 13.09.2025. Since the first respondent has not considered his representation, the petitioner had moved this Court by filing W.P.No.1579 of 2026. By order dated 21.01.2026, this Court had disposed of the writ petition with the following directions :
"6. In view of the limited relief sought for in this Writ Petition, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.10.2025 and pass appropriate orders on the same in accordance with law within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties."
6. In compliance of the orders of this Court dated 21.01.2026, the petitioner was called for a personal hearing on 03.04.2026. by the first respondent. The impugned order dated 08.04.2026 will clearly show that the petitioner's height was measured then and his height measured was 159.2 cms
and weight 55 kgs. Since the minimum height for the said post is 160 cms., the petitioner fell short of the required height and therefore, his candidature has not been considered.
7. I see no reason to interfere with the order of the first respondent dated 08.04.2026, as the same has been passed only on account of the fact that the petitioner during enquiry was found short of 0.8 cms., Since the requisite height prescribed for the post of Driver cum Conductor was 160 cms., the petitioner cannot seek a relaxation of the same. Therefore, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs.
05-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DS To:
1. The General Manager Tamil Nadu Government State Transport Corporation (Kovai) Ltd., Erode Zone, Chennaimalai Road, Erode District.
2. The General Manager Tamil Nadu Government State Transport Corporation (Kovai) Ltd., Coimbatore zone, Coimbatore.
P.T.ASHA, J.
DS 05-06-2026