K.Devaki v. The Additional Chief Secretary / Commissioner Of
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07.10.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA and W.M.P. Nos.41601, 41604 and 41605 of 2025 K. Devaki ... Petitioner vs.
1. The Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Commissionerate of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
2. The District Collector, Mayiladuthurai, Mayiladuthurai District.
3. The District Revenue Officer, Mayiladuthurai, Mayiladuthurai District.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the Impugned Proceedings issued by the 2nd respondent District Collector in Rc. No. 9965/2025/A1 dated 16.06.2025 with effect from 13.06.2025 and to Quash the same and consequently directing the 2nd 1/7
respondent to review the suspension order passed dated 16.06.2025 in the light of the G.O.(Ms) No.81 issued by the Human Resources Management (N) Department dated 04.08.2022 and to reinstate the petitioner in the post of Zonal Deputy Tahsildar by considering the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 03.09.2025 with all consequential and other attendant benefits, including payment of arrears of salary.
For petitioner : Ms. Dakshayani Reddy Senior Advocate Asst. by Mr.S. Sarath Chandran For Respondents : Mr.K. Surendran Addl. Govt. Pleader - - - - - -
ORDER
Mr.K. Surendran, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for respondents.
By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. This writ petition has been filed to quash the Proceedings in Rc. No. 9965/2025/A1 dated 16.06.2025 issued by the 2nd respondent and issue consequential direction to the 2nd respondent to review the suspension order in the light of the G.O.(Ms) No.81 issued by the Human Resources Management (N) Department dated 04.08.2022. Further direction sought, to 2/7
reinstate the petitioner in the post of Zonal Deputy Tahsildar by considering his representation dated 03.09.2025 with all consequential and other attendant benefits, including payment of arrears of salary.
3. The petitioner was appointed as an Assistant in the Revenue Administration Department on 20.05.2014 through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) and was subsequently transferred to the Sirkazhi Taluk Office, Mayiladuthurai District. While so, based on an alleged complaint, he was arrested by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and AntiCorruption and a case was registered against him in Crime No.1 of 2025. He was placed under suspension with effect from 13.06.2025 vide proceedings dated 16.06.2025.
4. It is the grievance of the petitioner that the said complaint has been made purely on the assumption that she was the superior Officer of the coaccused, and therefore, she has been falsely implicated in the said case, without any material evidence. Under such circumstances, she submitted a representation on 03.09.2025 seeking for revocation of suspension. It is the case of the petitioner that neither her representation was considered nor she was reinstated into service. Hence, this writ petition has been filed with the aforesaid prayer.
3/7
5. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the based on false allegations, FIR was registered against the petitioner and that the suspension order dated 16.06.2025 issued by the 2nd respondent is unjustifiable. Drawing the attention of this Court to various orders passed by this Court in identical matters, by quoting the decision rendered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the Case of Ajay Kumar Choudhary v. Union of India, reported in (2015) 7 SCC 291 as well as guidelines issued in G.O. Ms. No.81, Human Resources Management(N) Department, dated 04.08.2022, he submitted that the proceedings dated 16.06.2025 issued by the 2nd respondent is bad in law.
Further, he submitted that the petitioner restricts the relief sought for in this writ petition, and it would suffice if a direction is issued to the 1st respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 03.09.2025, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. Also he submitted that the from the date of her suspension, subsistence allowance was not paid to the petitioner, till date. Hence, this Court may issue appropriate directions in the above regard.
6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondent. 4/7
7. This Court is of the considered view that it is well settled by a number of judgments of this Court that, in terms of G.O. Ms. No.81, Human Resources Management(N) Department, dated 04.08.2022, all orders of suspension are required to be periodically reviewed.
8. Replying to the above, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 03.09.2025 will be considered by the 2nd respondent in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to the petitioner, within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court. He further submitted that the subsistence allowance, if not already paid, will be paid to the petitioner as per applicable rules.
9. Considering the fair submissions made by the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 03.09.2025, with regard to her claim for reinstatement into service, and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5/7
The respondent is also directed to consider the said representation in the light of guidelines issued in G.O. Ms. No.81, Human Resources Management(N) Department, dated 04.08.2022.
10. The writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs. 07.10.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order vsi2 To
1. The Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Commissionerate of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
2. The District Collector, Mayiladuthurai, Mayiladuthurai District.
3. The District Revenue Officer, Mayiladuthurai, Mayiladuthurai District.
6/7
A.D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
vsi2 07.10.2025 7/7