P.Damodaran v. The State Level Scrutiny Committeee

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 29.08.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN P.Damodaran Petitioner versus

1. The State Level Scrutiny Committee Rep. by Chairman and Secretary to Government Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Fort St George, Chennai 2.The Adi Dravidar And Tribal Welfare Department Rep. By Director, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005 3.The Deputy Superintendent Of Police SC/ST Vigilance Cell, Chennai Region 8th Floor, District Collector, Office Complex, Chennai Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus forbear the respondents from conducting verification of the petitioner's community status in pursuance of the communication dated nil of the third respondent received on 22.03.2025 in view of his retirement on 28.02.2023 in the light of the judgment of the Honourable Supreme Court in the case of Union of India vs Renuka SLP (C) No.24458/2019 dated 03.03.2023.

For Petitioner :

Ms.V.J.Latha For Respondents :

Mr.M.Habeeb Rahman Government Advocate For Respondents 1 and 2 Mr.A.Gokulakrishnan Additional Public Prosecutor for respondent No.3

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The petitioner has challenged the legality and validity of notice dated 20.03.2025 on various grounds.

2. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, community certificate was obtained by the petitioner nearly 40 years ago and now, after retirement of the petitioner, inquiry has been initiated by the State Level Scrutiny Committee. Learned counsel places reliance upon an order passed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in the case of R.Shanthi vs. State Level Scrutiny Committee, (WP No.29351 of 2023, order dated 18.04.2024) and the order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 12.07.2024, in case of Bank of Baroda vs. R.Shanthi (SLP (C) No.14135 of 2024), dismissing the special leave

petition filed by the Bank. It was also submitted that this Court, in K.Mahalingam vs. State Level Scrutiny Committee, has entertained the petition in the matter of challenge to initiation of a similar inquiry.

3. Mr.Edwin Prabhakar, learned State Government Pleader, submitted that the show cause notice given to the petitioner on 20.03.2025, which is assailed in this petition, has reference to the order dated 25.02.2025 passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sub Collector/Revenue Divisional Officer vs. B.Pradeepa, which clearly shows that the inquiry that has been initiated against the petitioner is pursuant to a direction issued by the Supreme Court.

4. Therefore, challenge to the notice which has been issued in compliance of the direction of the Supreme Court cannot be entertained. Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, WMP No.29876 of 2025 is closed. (MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ.) (SUNDER MOHAN, J.) 29.08.2025 tar

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND SUNDER MOHAN , J.

(tar) To

1. The Chairman and Secretary to Government State Level Scrutiny Committee Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Fort St George, Chennai 2.The Director, Adi Dravidar And Tribal Welfare Department Chepauk, Chennai 600 005 3.The Deputy Superintendent Of Police SC/ST Vigilance Cell, Chennai Region 8th Floor, District Collector, Office Complex, Chennai 29.08.2025