C.S.Balraj v. The Additional Chief Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09.10.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA C.S. Balraj ... Petitioner vs.
1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant promotion to the petitioner to the post of Assistant Commissioner in the skipped panel years namely 2021-22 or 2022-23, with all attendant and consequential benefits including service promotion and other terminal benefits. For petitioner : Mr.P.Jayalakshmi For respondents : Mr.S. Ravichandran Addl. Govt. Pleader (HR&CE) - - - - - - 1/5
ORDER
Mr.S. Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader (HR & CE) takes notice for the respondents.
By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. The relief sought in this writ petition is a direction to the respondents to grant promotion to the petitioner to the post of Assistant Commissioner in the skipped panel years namely 2021-22 or 2022-23, with all attendant and consequential benefits, including service promotion and other terminal benefits.
3. The case of the petitioner is that he was initially appointed as Junior Assistant-cum-Typist in the respondent Department on 19.03.1996, and was subsequently promoted as Inspector in the year 2006, and thereafter as Superintendent in the year 2019. The petitioner retired from service on 30.06.2024, on attaining the age of superannuation.
4. It is the grievance of the petitioner that his promotion to the post of Assistant Commissioner was prejudiced owing to the fact that no panel was 2/5
constituted for the periods 2021-22 and 2022-23. Subsequently, a panel was constituted only for the year 2023-2024, and the vacancies that had arisen over the three-year period (2021-2024) were sought to be filled solely based on the eligibility criteria applicable to the panel year 2023-2024. The said action of the respondents has adversely affected the petitioner's promotional prospects. In this regard, the petitioner had submitted a representation dated 25.07.2024 to the respondents, which has not been considered till date. Hence, he has come before this Court by way of this writ petition.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the 2nd respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.07.2024 and pass appropriate orders on its own merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the claim made by the petitioner.
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7. With the aforesaid directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
09.10.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order vsi2
1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009
2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034 A.D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
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