G.Santhi v. The Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated: 10.09.2025 Coram:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA ---- Tmt.G.Santhi .. Petitioner Vs.
The Secretary to Government, Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (ADW-1) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.
.. Respondent Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondent to review the suspension order, vide G.O.(3.D).No.382, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (ADW1) Department, dated 23.06.2023 as per the Government Order, vide G.O.Ms.No.81, Human Resources Management (N) Department, dated 04.08.2022, and by considering the representation dated 01.08.2025 made by the petitioner.
For petitioner : Mr.P.Ganesan For respondent: Mr.Yogesh Kannadasan, Spl. G.P. 1 / 5
ORDER
The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondent to review the suspension order, vide G.O.(3.D).No.382, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (ADW-1) Department, dated 23.06.2023 as per the Government Order, vide G.O.Ms.No.81, Human Resources Management (N) Department, dated 04.08.2022, and by considering the representation dated 01.08.2025 made by the petitioner.
2. The petitioner was appointed as Junior Assistant in the Department initially and after 30 years of her service, the petitioner was promoted and appointed as District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Officer, Salem and then he was transferred to various Districts. On 04.07.2022, he was posted as District Manager in the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation, Erode District and while he was working as such, he was directed to take additional in-charge for District Manager, Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation, Salem District. The Directorate of Vigilance and AntiCorruption, Salem District filed FIR against the petitioner based on the complaint made by one S.Kumar as per A-1 G.Santhi (writ petitioner) and A2 Tmt.M.Santhi, in Crime No.4/AC/2023 under Section 7-A and 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, on 15.06.2023 due to demand of bribe of Rs.15,000/-. The respondent issued an order of suspension, vide G.O.(3D).No.382, Adi Dravidar 2 / 5
and Tribal Welfare (ADW-1) Department, dated 23.06.2023. On 01.08.2025, the petitioner made a representation to review the suspension based on G.O.Ms.No.81, Human Resources Management (N) Department, dated 04.08.2022 and the decision of the Supreme Court reported in 2015 (7) SCC 291 (Ajay kumar Choudhary Vs. Union of India).
3. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
4. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondent submitted that since the petitioner was arrested in a trap case, he had been placed under suspension as noted above. The criminal case is pending and thereby, he is still under suspension. He has also been paid the necessary subsistence allowance.
5. The petitioner has been suspended on 23.06.2023 and the order of suspension has not been reviewed for the past two years.
6. In the light of the pendency of the representation before the respondent, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, the respondent is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 01.08.2025, in the light of G.O.Ms.No.81, Human Resosurces Management (N) Department, dated 04.08.2022 and G.O.(D).No.450, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, dated 01.08.2023 and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of 3 / 5
a copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
10.09.2025 cs To The Secretary to Government, Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (ADW-1) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.
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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J cs 10.09.2025 5 / 5