R.Ravindranath v. The Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN W.P.No.38990 of 2025 and WMP.No.43668 of 2025 R.Ravindranath ... Petitioner Vs.

1.THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, COMMERCIAL TAXES AND REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-600 009 2.THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF REGISTRATION, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF REGISTRATION, 100, SANTHOME HIGH ROAD, MYLAPORE, CHENNAI-600 004 ... Respondents PRAYER:

Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O.(2D)No.83 commercial Taxes and Registration (H1) Department dated 20.08.2025 extending the order of suspension passed in G.O(2D)No.80 commercial Taxes and Registration (H1) Department dated 01.10.2024 and to quash the same since prolonged and indefinite suspension is not in accordance 1/7

with law and consequentially direct the 1st respondent to revoke the order of suspension and reinstate the petitioner in service with full backwages, continuity of service and all attended benefits. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Anantharangan For Respondents : Mr.Abishek Murthy, Government Advocate

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed challenging the order of suspension dated 01.10.2024 and the order of extension of suspension dated 20.08.2025 on the file of the first respondent. 2.

Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused all the materials placed before this Court. 3.

It is found that when the petitioner was working as District Registrar, he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody pursuant to the registration of FIR in crime No.8 of 2024 for the offence punishable under sections 419, 420, 465, 468 of IPC and Sections 66 and 43 of Information Technology Act. Therefore, the petitioner was suspended from service on 01.10.2024 and subsequently, it was extended by an order 2/7

dated 20.08.2025 on the ground that the criminal case is still pending for investigation and no charge sheet has been laid. However, it is submitted that now investigation has been completed in crime No.8 of 2024 and final report has also been filed. The same is pending for taking cognizance. Further, the petitioner is suffering order of suspension for the past two years.

4.

As such, the order of suspension cannot be pending for nearly two years without any progress. The respondents also failed to serve any charge memo to the petitioner so far to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner. Therefore, by simply keeping the petitioner idle without extracting work, the payment of her subsistence allowance is loss to the ex-chequer.

5.

In view of the above, the first respondent is directed to revoke the order of suspension in the light of GO.Ms.No.81 Human Resource Management (N) Department dated 04.08.2022 and place the petitioner in any one of the non sensitive posts within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of this order and to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings.

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6.

With the above directions, this writ petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

25.11.2025 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order lok G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

The matter is listed today under the caption 'for being mentioned' in the Chamber at the instance of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner.

2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in paragraph 3 of the order, dated 25.11.2025 the post of the petitioner, crime number and the offences have been erroneously mentioned. Therefore, he prays for appropriate corrections.

3.In view of the said submission, paragraph No.3 of the order shall be read as follows:

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"3. It is found that when the petitioner was working as a Deputy Inspector General (Registration Department), he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody pursuant to the registration of the FIR in Crime No.2 of 2022 for the offence punishable under Sections 120(B), 147, 148, 448, 427, 379, 465, 467, 468 and 471 IPC. Therefore, the petitioner was suspended from service on 01.10.2024 and subsequently, it was extended by an order dated 20.08.2025 on the ground that the criminal case is still pending for investigation and no charge sheet has been laid. However, it is submitted that now investigation has been completed in crime No.2 of 2022 and final report has also been filed. The same is pending for taking cognizance. Further, the petitioner is suffering order of suspension for the past two years."

4. In all other aspects, the order dated 25.11.2025 shall remain unaltered.

5.Registry is directed to carry out the aforesaid corrections and issue corrected copy to the respective parties. 11.12.2025 ps 5/7

To 1.THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, COMMERCIAL TAXES AND REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-600 009 2.THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF REGISTRATION, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF REGISTRATION, 100, SANTHOME HIGH ROAD, MYLAPORE, CHENNAI-600 004 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

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