P.Bhagyalakshmi v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28-10-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN and WMP.Nos. 45680, 45683 and 45686 of 2025
1. P.Bhagyalakshmi Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector Chennai District 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer South Chennai Region, Guindy, Chennai-32 3.The District Revenue Officer Chennai.
4.Thiru. Elango, 5.Thiru. Prabhu Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of writ of certiorarified mandamus, calling for the records relating to order issued by the 2nd respondent made in Na.Ka.No.E1/003/2025 dated 15.10.2025 to quash the same in so afar as the petitioner 4th and 5th
Respondents are concerned and to consequently direct the Respondents 1 to 3 to recast the seniority list in accordance with the Guidelines issued in G.O. Ms. No.515, Revenue (Service-7(1) Department dated 25.08.2008 For Petitioner:
Mr. L. Chandrakumar For Respondent:
Mr. V.Jeevagiridharan, AGP
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed challenging the seniority list prepared by the second respondent dated 15.10.2025 for the transfer counselling for the post of Village Administrative Officer.
2. The petitioner was appointed as a Village Administrative Officer on 13.09.2010 in Cuddalore District and was subsequently transferred to Chennai District on 17.12.2014. The Government, in G.O.Ms. No. 515, Revenue (Service-7(1)) Department dated 25.08.2008, issued statutory instructions with regard to transfer counselling for Village Administrative Officers. The counselling is conducted annually and is known as the Annual General Counselling for VAOs, which is done in accordance with the seniority position so that the option of the concerned person may be considered for the sake of transparency.
3. The second respondent had earlier drawn a seniority list for transfer counselling in which the petitioner was placed at Sl. No. 4. Thereafter, without assigning any reason, the second respondent revised the said seniority list dated 15.10.2025 and forwarded the same to the Tahsildar for transfer counselling, wherein the petitioner was placed at Sl. No. 5. Aggrieved by the said seniority list, the present writ petition has been filed.
4. Heard both sides and perused the materials placed on record.
5. On perusal of the seniority list, it is seen that the petitioner's seniority has been fixed at Sl. No. 5. The said list is undated and unsigned. However, before its publication, the petitioner had obtained a copy of the same and produced it before this Court. The petitioner has also submitted objections dated 23.10.2025 with regard to the change in seniority position, which are pending consideration before the second respondent.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court directs the second respondent to consider the objections raised by the petitioner and
pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. However, it is made clear that the second respondent shall not conduct the transfer counselling based on the seniority list dated 15.10.2025 till the disposal of the objections raised by the petitioner.
28-10-2025 Index:Yes/No Internet:Yes ak
To 1.The District Collector Chennai District At Chennai 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer South Chennai Region, Guindy, Chennai-32 3.The District Revenue Officer Chennai.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
ak 28-10-2025