R.T.Hrithick v. The Principal Secretary,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 08.10.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA R.T.Hrithick ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai.
2 The Director of School Education, DPI Complex, College Road, Chennai 600006.
3 The District Educational officer, The District Educational Office, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
4 The Headmaster Government Higher Secondary School, Kottaram, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District.
5. The Joint Director (Personnel), School Education Department, Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.
... Respondents (suo motu impleaded as the 5th respondent vide this order) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to consider representation sent by the petitioner, dated 11.08.2025 and, consequentially direct respondent Nos.2 to 4 to consider the Petitioners application dated 06.12.2024 for compassionate appointment.
For Petitioner : Mr.Ashwinkumar.A For Respondents : Mrs.S.Mythreye Chandru, Special Government Pleader (E)
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to consider the representation sent by the petitioner, dated 11.08.2025 and consequently direct respondents 2 to 4 to consider the petitioner's application dated 06.12.2024 for compassionate appointment.
2. Mrs.S.Mythreye Chandru, learned Special Government Pleader (E) takes notice for the respondents.
3. By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal today at the admission stage itself.
4. The case of the petitioner is that his mother who was working as a Secondary Grade Teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School, Kottaram, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District passed away on 28.10.2001 and claiming compassionate appointment, he submitted an application on 06.12.2024 in accordance with Rule 8 of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Appointment on Compassionate Grounds) Rules, 2023 before the 4th
respondent and the same is still pending. Thereafter, on 11.08.2025, he made a representation before the first respondent on 11.08.2025 to relax the limitation period within which the application for compassionate appointment has to be made. The same is also pending without any orders. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ petition seeking the aforesaid relief.
5. The learned Special Government Pleader (E) appearing for the respondents would submit that the Joint Director (Personnel), School Education Department is the competent authority to decide the issue, whereas the petitioner has addressed the representation dated 11.08.2025 to the Principal Secretary to the Government who is not the competent authority.
6. In view of the above, since the Joint Director (Personnel), School Education Department is the competent authority to consider the case of the petitioner, this Court suo motu impleads the Joint Director (Personnel), School Education Department, Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006, as 5th respondent in this writ petition for whom also, Mrs.S.Mythreye Chandru,
learned Special Government Pleader (E) accepts notice.
7. The petitioner is directed to submit a fresh representation to the 5th respondent viz., the Joint Director (Personnel) DPI Campus, School Education Department, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On such representation being made, the same shall be considered on merits and in accordance with law by the Joint Director (Personnel), within a period of twelve weeks thereafter.
8. This writ petition stands disposed of with the above directions. No costs.
08.10.2025 Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No : Yes / No vum To:
1. The Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai.
2 The Director of School Education, DPI Complex, College Road, Chennai 600006.
3 The District Educational officer, The District Educational Office, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
4 The Headmaster Government Higher Secondary School, Kottaram, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District.
5. The Joint Director (Personnel), School Education Department, Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.
A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA ,J.,
vum 08.10.2025