The Secretary v. K.Rajalakshmi

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 20.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SURESH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SHAMIM AHMED

1. The Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

3. The Headmistress, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Poonamallee, Chennai - 600 056.

... Petitioners -Vs1. K.Rajalakshmi

2. The Principal Accountant General (A&E), 361, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 018.

... Respondents PRAYER in C.M.P.No.25567 of 2025 : Petition filed under Section 5 of Limitation Act, to condone the delay of 630 days in filing the above writ appeal against the order dated 22.12.2023 made in W.P.No.13618 of 2021. 1/4

PRAYER in W.A.SR.No.165860 of 2025 : Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to set aside the order dated 22.12.2023 in W.P.No.13618 of 2021. For Petitioners :

Mr.E.Veda Bagath Singh Special Government Pleader For Respondents :

Mr.K.Vishal for Mr.R.Natarajan for R1 No appearance for R2

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by R.SURESH KUMAR, J.) Though there is a delay of 630 days in filing the writ appeal and it is stoutly opposed by Mr.K.Vishal, learned counsel appearing for the first respondent, we after having gone through the reasons, are of the view that, if at all this petition is to be allowed to give a chance to the petitioners to project the main writ appeal on merits, the same can be allowed only on terms as certainly some prejudice would have been caused to the first respondent due to the delay of 630 days in preferring this writ appeal.

2. In that view of the matter, this petition is ordered on terms of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) being the cost payable by the petitioners to the first respondent through Mr.K.Vishal, learned counsel appearing for the first respondent within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On such payment, this petition is ordered. 2/4

3. Registry is directed to number the writ appeal, if it is otherwise in order and place the same for admission.

(R.S.K., J.) (S.S.A., J.) 20.01.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No vji To

1. The Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

3. The Headmistress, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Poonamallee, Chennai - 600 056.

4. The Principal Accountant General (A&E), 361, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 018.

3/4

R.SURESH KUMAR, J.

and SHAMIM AHMED, J.

vji 20.01.2026 4/4