S.Gopi v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By Its Secretary To The Government,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA AND WMP NO. 24184 OF 2026 S.Gopi ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu Rep. by its Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600009.
2. The Director, Directorate of Technical Education, no.53, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600025.
3. The Government College of Technology, Rep. by its Principal, Thadagam Road, near Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641013.
4. Mr.Srinivasamurthy Associate Professor, Department of Production Engineering, Government College of Technology, Thadagam Road, near Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641013.
..Respondent(s)
Prayer:
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to pass orders promoting the petitioner as Professor in the Department of Production Engineering in the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, taking note of the seniority of the petitioner in the post of Associate Professor over the 4th respondent as held by this Court in its order dated 14.06.2022 in W.P.No.10716 of 2018. For Petitioner(s):
Mrs.C.Uma For Respondent(s):
Mr. A.R.Balaji Government Advocate R1 to R3 Order This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To direct the 1st respondent to pass orders promoting the petitioner as Professor in the Department of Production Engineering in the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, taking note of the seniority of the petitioner in the post of Associate Professor over the 4th respondent as held by this Court in its order dated 14.06.2022 in W.P.No.10716 of 2018."
2. It is seen that earlier the petitioner has approached this Court in WP.No.10716 of 2018, for the following relief: "directing the 1st respondent to place the petitioner as senior to the 4th respondent in the post of Associate Professor / Production Engineering in the 3rd respondent College taking note of the seniority of the petitioner over the 4th respondent in the cadre of Assistant Professor as per rule 35 (a) and 35 (aa) of the Tamil Nadu Subordinate Service Rules and taking note of his superior qualifications and consequently direct the 1st and 2nd respondents to consider the petitioner for the only available post of professor / Production Engineering in the 3rd respondent College in preference to the 4th respondent."
3. This Court disposed of the said writ petition by order dated 14.06.2022, with the following directions:
"34. In that view of the matter, this Court is inclined to dispose of this writ petition with the following order: *That there shall be a direction to the respondents to pass necessary orders fixing the seniority inter se between the petitioner and the fourth respondent, where the
petitioner would be entitled to hold the post of Associate Professor with effect from 19.11.2013, the date on which he acquired the qualification whereas the fourth respondent became qualified to hold the post only on 22.08.2015, the date on which he acquired the qualification of Ph.D.Degree. *Nevertheless, since the promotion had been given to the fourth respondent in the year 2012~13 and to the petitioner only in the year 2015~16, from the said post or promotion, if any financial benefits acquired by both the persons, that need not be disturbed. But at the same time, the inter se seniority based on the above shall be recognized.
*Accordingly, the petitioner shall be placed above the fourth respondent in the category of Associate Professor which would be seniority for the purpose of all future promotions and other benefits. Accordingly, such notional promotion shall be given to the petitioner with effect from 19.11.2013 or if the seniority has to be reckoned for which the petitioner shall be placed above the petitioner, such a notional promotion can also be given to the petitioner one
day prior to the promotion given to the fourth respondent notionally and accordingly for re~fixing the seniority between them, necessary orders shall be passed by the respondents.
*The needful as indicated above shall be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
*It is made clear that till such time no further service benefits like promotion be made in respect of the post of Professor, wherein the petitioner as well as the fourth respondent are likely to be considered.
4. However, the said order has not been complied with.
5. In view of the above, the respondents shall comply with the earlier orders of this Court dated 14.06.2022, in WP.No.10716 of 2018, within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, till such time the 1st respondent shall refrain from filling up the post of Professor / Production Engineering, Government College of Technology, Thadagam Road, Near Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 19-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order KAN
To
1. The State of Tamilnadu Rep. by its Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600009.
2. The Director, Directorate of Technical Education, no.53, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600025.
3. The Government College of Technology, Rep. by its Principal, Thadagam Road, near Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641013.
P.T.ASHA J.
KAN AND WMP NO. 24184 OF 2026 19-06-2026