Karthick v. The Chairman

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN W.P.No.43647 of 2025 and WMP.Nos.48757 & 48758 of 2025 Karthick ... Petitioner Vs.

1.THE CHAIRMAN, ARANGAVALARKUZHU (BOARD OF TRUSTEES), SRI KALIKAMBAL DEVASTHANAM, THAMBU CHETTY STREET, GEORGE TOWN, CHENNAI 600 001 2.THE JOINT COMMISSIONER, HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, NUNGAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI 600 034 ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records in respect of the impugned order dated 15.05.2024 in K.K.T.No.57/115/2024 issued by the first respondent, quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to revoke the said suspension order and reinstate the petitioner in service forthwith.

For Petitioner : M/s.Jayanthi K Shah 1/4

For Respondents For R2 : Mr.S.Ravichandran, Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed challenging the order of suspension dated 15.05.2024 in K.K.T.No.57/115/2024 issued by the first respondent.

2.

The petitioner has been serving as Archakar Grade-II in the Sri Kalikambal Kamateswarar Devasthanam, Chennai under the control of the first respondent. The petitioner had involved in a rape case. It was alleged that he raped one, Ms.Nandhini. On the complaint lodged by her, FIR has been registered in crime No.15 of 2024 for the offence punishable under Sections 417, 354A, 294(b), 312, 506(i) of IPC and 67A of Information Technology Act, 2000. In pursuant to the registration of FIR, the petitioner was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Therefore, the petitioner was deemed to be suspended from service by order dated 15.05.2024. Though the petitioner was released on bail, the petitioner had committed very serious offence against a woman. Now investigation is pending, therefore, the said ground cannot be considered in this case to revoke the order of suspension or to -revisit the order of 2/4

suspension.

3.

On instruction, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the second respondent submitted that now the disciplinary proceedings are initiated and the petitioner is yet to be served charge memo.

4.

In view of the above, this Court finds no infirmity or illegality in the order of suspension. Therefore, this writ petition is dismissed. However, the respondents are directed to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings and to complete the same within a period of six months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

19.11.2025 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order lok 3/4

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

lok To 1.THE CHAIRMAN, ARANGAVALARKUZHU (BOARD OF TRUSTEES), SRI KALIKAMBAL DEVASTHANAM, THAMBU CHETTY STREET, GEORGE TOWN, CHENNAI 600 001 2.THE JOINT COMMISSIONER, HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, NUNGAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI 600 034 19.11.2025 4/4