R.Krishnamorthy v. The Chairman Cum Managing Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA R.Krishnamorthy
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.
The Chairman cum Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., N.P.K.R. Maligai, Electricity, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.
The Chief Engineer/Personnel, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., N.P.K.R. Maligai, Electricity, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
3.
The Superintending Engineer, Chengalpattu Electricity Distribution Circle, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., Chengalpattu.
...Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representations dated 30.01.2016 and 11.07.2025 and grant notional promotion to him to the post of Foreman Grade-I with effect from 27.01.2000 and notional promotion to the post of Special Grade Foreman 1/7
with effect from 03.02.2009 and pay all the consequential benefits to the petitioner within a time framed.
For Petitioner : M/s.D.Rajkumari For Respondents : Mr.David Sundar Singh, Standing Counsel
ORDER
This Writ petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representations dated 30.01.2016 and 11.07.2025 and grant notional promotion to him to the post of Foreman Grade-I with effect from 27.01.2000 and also notional promotion to the post of Special Grade Foreman with effect from 03.02.2009 and pay all the consequential benefits to the petitioner.
2. Mr.David Sundar Singh, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, this Writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The case of the petitioner is that, he was appointed as Helper in the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Electricity Board on 22.09.1987. After several 2/7
promotions, the petitioner retired from the service on 31.01.2016 as a Junior Engineer-II. While so, the petitioner's junior one V.Chellappan was appointed as Helper in the year 1987 and promoted as Line Inspector on 29.04.1998. Though the said V.Chellappan was junior to the petitioner, he was promoted to the post of Foreman Grade -1 on 27.01.2000 overlooking seniority. However, the petitioner was not aware of the said illegal promotion, since the promotional panel was not duly communicated to him. While so, one V.Raveendran and others, who are seniors to the said V.Chellappan filed Writ Petitions before this Court in W.P.Nos.16330 to 16335 of 2001, seeking notional promotion on par with the said Chellappan and the said Writ Petitions were disposed on 06.08.
2009, directing the respondents to consider the grievance of the petitioners therein and pass orders within a period of three months, pursuant to which, the respondents have granted notional promotion to the said V.Raveendran and 17 others to the post of Foreman Grade-I with effect from 27.01.2000. Though the said V.Chellappan and V.Raveendran are juniors to the petitioner, they were given promotion with effect from 27.01.2000 to the post of Foreman Grade1, and the respondents have not extended the said benefits to the petitioner.
Thereby, the petitioner made a representation before the respondents 30.01.2016, seeking to promote him to the post of Foreman Grade-I with effect from 27.01.2000 on par with his juniors and to grant all the other consequential benefits, which evoked no response. Therefore, the petitioner made another representation before the respondents on 11.07.2025, seeking notional promotion. However, till date, no orders have been passed on the said representation as well. Hence the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition.
4. Though very many grounds have been raised, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this Court issues direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representations dated 30.01.2016 and 11.07.2025 and consequently, grant notional promotion to him to the post of Foreman Grade-I with effect from 27.01.2000 and also notional promotion to the post of Special Grade Foreman with effect from 03.02.2009 and pay all the consequential benefits to the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible.
5. On the above said contentions, this Court, heard Mr.David Sundar 4/7
Singh, learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents and perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 11.07.2025 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after hearing the petitioner.
7. With the above directions, this Writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
11.09.2025 skt Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No To:
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1.
The Chairman cum Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., N.P.K.R. Maligai, Electricity, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.
The Chief Engineer/Personnel, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., N.P.K.R. Maligai, Electricity, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
3.
The Superintending Engineer, Chengalpattu Electricity Distribution Circle, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., Chengalpattu.
A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
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skt 11.09.2025 7/7