T.K.Murugavel v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 03-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and W.M.P.No.19988 of 2026 T.K.Murugavel ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, St.George Fort, Chennai.
2. The Director of Town Panchayats, MRC Nagar, Chennai - 600 028.
3. The District Collector, Collectorate Office, Thiruvallur District.
4. The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Thiruvallur Zone, Collectorate, Thiruvallur.
..Respondent(s) Prayer: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to notionally appoint the petitioner to the post of Junior Assistant / Bill Collector from 2001 with all service benefits, on par with his juniors who have been appointed notionally from the year 2001 and consequently direct the respondent to promote the petitioner to the post of Head Clerk with effect from 24th November, 2025.
For Petitioner(s) :
Mr.Vishnu.VR For Respondent(s) :
Mr.K.Sathish, Government Advocate
ORDER
This writ petition is filed to direct the first respondent to notionally appoint the petitioner to the post of Junior Assistant / Bill Collector from 2001 with all service benefits, on par with his juniors who have been appointed notionally from the year 2001 and consequently direct the respondent to promote the petitioner to the post of Head Clerk with effect from 24th November, 2025.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that he was appointed as a Section Writer in the year 1991 and was subsequently appointed as Bus Stand Bill Collector in the Town Panchayat on a time scale basis and joined on 02.01.1998 and further appointed as Office Assistant by order dated 01.03.2011 on a temporary basis. While that be so, the first respondent had passed G.O.(Ms).No.150 dated 19.08.1998, for the promotion of basic entry level posts such as office assistant, bus stand bill collector, record clerk, sanitary supervisor and other posts. The eligibility criteria was fixed as 7 years of experience. Thereafter, another G.O. (Ms).No.125 dated 27.05.1999 was issued by the first respondent, regularising daily wage workers, who were working prior 31.12.1996 in the Town Panchayat. During the year 2001, all daily wage workers were appointed to the
aforementioned entry level posts with consolidated pay for one year.
3. By order dated 10.10.2000, the petitioner was regularised from 02.01.1998 and he had also sent representations dated 03.08.2015 and 14.12.2015 to the respondents 2 and 3, seeking promotion as per GO. (Ms).No.150 dated 19.08.1998 since he had put in unblemished service for a period of 15 years. Subsequently, the third respondent had published the seniority list for the promotion of personnel of basic level entry posts to the post of Junior Assistant and had also confirmed the seniority of the petitioner. In the meantime, the first respondent had issued G.O.(Ms).No.76 dated 31.05.2019, for the promotion of daily wage workers, to the post of Junior Assistant, considering their seniority notionally from 02.06.2001. To the shock and surprise of the petitioner, he was appointed as Junior Assistant by G.O.(Ms).168 dated 06.12.
2019, clearly mentioning that the seniority would be considered from the date of joining the work as Junior assistant i.e.27.12.2019. Aggrieved by the inaction of the respondents, in promoting juniors notionally from 2011 vide G.O. dated 31.05.2019, the petitioner sent a representation dated 26.02.2026, to the second respondent. However, the same has not been considered. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court seeking the aforesaid relief.
4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned
Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and perused the materials available on record.
5. Though the petitioner has sought the aforementioned relief, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, a representation had been given on 26.02.2026, which has also been received by the respondents and it would suffice if the same is disposed of within a time frame. Therefore, without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.02.2026, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connection miscellaneous petition stands closed. 03-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order rap
To
1. The Principal Secretary to the Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, St.George Fort, Chennai.
2. The Director of Town Panchayats, MRC Nagar, Chennai - 600 028.
3. The District Collector, Collectorate Office, Thiruvallur District.
4. The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Thiruvallur Zone, Collectorate, Thiruvallur.
P.T.ASHA, J.
rap 03-06-2026