N.Selvaraj, v. Dr. D.Karthikeyan, I.A.S., And 2 Others
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 23-01-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI CONT P No. 2234 of 2025 N.Selvaraj, Vellore City Municipal Corporation, Vellore 632 009.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. Dr. D.Karthikeyan, I.A.S., Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2. S.Sivarasu, I.A.S., Director of Municipal Administration, No. 75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai 600 028.
3. P.Janaki Raveendran, Commissioner, Vellore City Municipal Corporaiton, Vellore 632 009.
..Contemnor(s) Prayer: Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, seeking to punish the Respondents for willful disobeyal of the orders of this Court made in W.P.No.28259 of 2024 dated 28.11.2024.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.T.RANGANATHAN For Contemnor(s):
Mr.C.Selvaraj, Additional Govt. Pleader For R1 And R2 Mr.P.S.Prabu, Standing Counsel For R3
ORDER
This Contempt Petition is filed seeking to punish the respondents for wilful disobedience of the order dated 28.11.2024, passed in W.P.No. 28259 of 2024.
2.
This Court by an order dated 28.11.2024, directed the respondents to rectify the error made in the appointment of the petitioner to the Post of Junior Engineer from 03.01.2019 and after rectification of the appointment, granted liberty to the petitioner to make fresh representation to the post of Assistant Engineer in terms of G.O.Ms.No.59 MAWS Department dated 03.03.2016. On receipt of the representation, the respondents are directed to consider the same and pass appropriate orders. With the above directions, the Writ Petition was allowed.
3.
However, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the order was not complied with and therefore, the present contempt petition has been filed. Though the petitioner was given Junior Engineer post from 03.01.2019, however salary to the post of Junior Assistant from September 2024 to September 2025 was not paid and in respect of promotion to the post of Assistant Engineer was also rejected, contrary to the order passed by this Court. Hence, this Court may issue a statutory notice to the respondents for the willful disobedience of the order passed by this Court.
4.
Per contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that this Court directed the respondents to rectify the error made in the appointment order from 03.01.2019 and to give appointment to the petitioner in the post of Junior Engineer. Accordingly the order was passed on 11.09.2025 and the petitioner was granted to the post of Junior Engineer from 03.01.2019. In the meanwhile, the transfer order was passed. However, he joined in the duty in the transferred place only on August 2025. Therefore, from August 2025, the petitioner was paid salary in the post of Junior Engineer. In respect of promotion to the post of Assistant Engineer is
concerned, the petitioner is not eligible and hence the reject order was passed.
5.
If at all the petitioner is aggrieved, he may challenge the order in the manner known to law. Further this Court issued direction to consider the petitioner's representation for the promotion in terms of G.O.Ms.No.59 MAWS Department dated 03.03.2016 and not a positive direction. Hence, there is no willful disobedience on the part of the respondents.
6.
Hence, the Contempt Petition stands closed with liberty to the petitioner to workout his remedy in the manner known to law. 23-01-2026 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order : Yes/No rts
To
1. The Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Director of Municipal Administration, No. 75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai 600 028.
3. The Commissioner, Vellore City Municipal Corporaiton, Vellore 632 009.
4. The Commissioner, Vellore City Municipal Corporaiton, Vellore 632 009.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
rts CONT P No. 2234 of 2025 23-01-2026