R. Suganthi 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. 45693, 45695 and 45697 of 2025 R. Suganthi 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 6.Anandaraj ..Respondents For Petitioner:
Mr. L. Chandrakumar For Respondents: Mr. V.Jeevagiridharan, AGP -R1 to R3
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 09.10.2012 in Thiruvarur District and was subsequently transferred to Chennai District on 01.04.2015. 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. 5. 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. 7. 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. 7. 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