R.Somasundaram v. The Principal Secretary To The Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 13.10.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN W.P.No. 36161 of 2025 R.Somasundaram .. Petitioner vs 1.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Directorate of Town Panchayats, 7th & 8th Floors, Urban Administrative Office Campus, Chennai - 600 028.
3.The Commissioner, Municipal Administration Department, Raja Annamalai Puram, M.R.C. Nagar, Chennai - 600 028.
4.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayat, Old District Board Building complex, Beach Road, Cuddalore - 607 001.
5.The Executive Officer, Pennadam Town Panchayat, Pennadam, Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District - 606 105.
.. Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus, directing respondents 1 to 3 herein to implement the order passed by the Tamil Nadu Local 1/5
Bodies Ombudsman in Order No.135/Peru/2022 dated 19.10.2022, and initiate disciplinary action against respondents 4 and 5 as per petitioner's representation dated 26.5.2025.
For Petitioner :
Mr.T.Sezhian For Respondents :
Mr.M.S.Premkumar (for R1 to R4) Government advocate Mr.S.Ravichandran (for R5) Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
The grievance of the petitioner was that, despite the order passed by the Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Ombudsman, Chennai, dated 19.10.2022 and 25.08.2023, necessary steps consequent to the order had not been initiated.
2.
When the matter came up for admission, Mr.Premkumar representing Dr.T.Seenivasan represented that the District Collector has been approached by the Commissioner for obtaining a copy of the order in order to proceed further. I recorded that the District Collector has no role to play when an order is passed by the statutory authority, and also recorded the fact that the order passed by the Ombudsman was available with the Commissioner, and the petitioner had enclosed the same in the typed-set of papers. Mr. 2/5
Premkumar informed this Court that he will advise the Commissioner and report to this Court. Hence, I adjourned this matter from 09.10.2025 to 13.10.2025.
3.
When the matter was taken up today, Mr.Premkumar has produced the charge memo that has been issued pursuant to the order passed by the Ombudsman to the Executive Officer, Pennadam Town Panchayat, Cuddlore District. The charge sheet has been issued on 10.10.2025. It has been issued by the Director of Town Panchayat, MRC Nagar, Chennai - 600 028 in Na.Ka.No.19693/2023/U3. Mr.S.Ravichandran submits that as against the fourth respondent, charges have been framed under Rule 17(a) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. As steps have been initiated to implement the order of the Ombundsman, suffice it to record the same and dispose of the writ petition.
4.
Copies of the proceedings have been handed over to Mr.T.Sezhian. It is expected that the proceedings initiated will be completed, in accordance with law, within a stipulated time period. In case, they are not so done, it is open to the petitioner to approach the Court again for ensuring its completion. 3/5
5.
This writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 13.10.2025 Index:Yes/No ssm To 1.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Directorate of Town Panchayats, 7th & 8th Floors, Urban Administrative Office Campus, Chennai - 600 028.
3.The Commissioner, Municipal Administration Department, Raja Annamalai Puram, M.R.C. Nagar, Chennai - 600 028.
4.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayat, Old District Board Building complex, Beach Road, Cuddalore - 607 001.
5.The Executive Officer, Pennadam Town Panchayat, Pennadam, Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District - 606 105.
4/5
V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN , J.
ssm 13.10.2025 5/5