P. Ramesh v. The Additional Chief Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 05.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and W.M.P.Nos.46748 and 46749 of 2025 P.Ramesh ... Petitioner -Vs1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-09.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

3. A.T.Paranjothi ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned order dated 01.06.2024 vide Na.Ka.No.55081/20221/B1 passed by the second respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently directing the first and second respondents to furnish the documents requested by the petitioner through his representation dated 14.05.2024 within the time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Rajakumar For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravichandran Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the second respondent dated 01.06.2024, thereby rejecting the request made by the petitioner seeking certain documents to submit explanation for the charge memo under Rule 17(b) of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules.

2. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

3. The petitioner was working as Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment in Namakkal District. He was served with a charge memo under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules, pursuant to the registration of FIR under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act alleging that he had received bribe from the poosaries of the Arulmigu Periyasamy Thirukoil, Namakkal. Pursuant to the same, he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Now, the criminal case is pending for trial. While being so, the petitioner was served with a show cause notice to submit explanation. Without submitting any explanation, the petitioner

asked for certain documents which were not annexed to the charge memo. However, certain documents were issued to the petitioner and some of the documents which were not annexed to the charge memo were denied. Hence, this writ petition.

4. On instructions, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the charge memo was issued to the petitioner on 02.02.2024. Even till today, the petitioner did not submit any explanation and simply protract the proceedings by asking irrelevant documents. The petitioner is not entitled for any documents which were not annexed to the charge memo. Therefore, the request made by the petitioner was rightly rejected. That apart, the request made by the petitioner was rejected on 01.06.2024. After a period of nearly 17 months, this writ petition has been filed without any reason for the delay and only to drag the proceedings.

5. In view of the above, this Court finds no infirmity or illegality in the order passed by the third respondent dated 01.06.2024 vide Na.Ka.No.55081/2022-1/B1 and the writ petition is devoid of merits and is liable to be dismissed.

6. Accordingly, this writ petition stands dismissed. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. 05.11.2025 Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order mn

To

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-09.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, mn 05.11.2025