C.Abdul Sadiq Basha v. The Principal Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 05.01.2026
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.Nos.56332 & 56334 of 2025 C.Abdul Sadiq Basha
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Director of Town Panchayats, Urban Administrative Building, No.75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai - 600 028.
3.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Cuddalore Zone, Cuddalore District.
4.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, (Enquiry Officer), Coimbatore Zone, Coimbatore District.
5.The Executive Officer, Bhuvanagiri Town Panchayat, Cuddalore District.
...Respondents
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Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd and 4th respondents to conclude the Disciplinary proceedings as against the petitioner in pursuance of the order passed by the second respondent vide proceedings Na.Ka.No: 5061/2022/Oo3, dated 04.04.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.K.Selvakumar For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj, Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition is filed to direct the respondents 2 & 4 to conclude the Disciplinary proceedings as against the petitioner in pursuance of the order passed by the second respondent vide proceedings Na.Ka.No:5061/2022/Oo3, dated 04.04.2025.
2. By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The case of the petitioner is that he was appointed as Executive Officer in Bhuvanagiri Town Panchayat, Cuddalore on 17.06.2021 and transferred to Devarshola Town Panchayat in Nilgiris District on 01.11.2021. 2/6
While serving in Bhuvanagiri Town Panchayat, one Mr.Veeramani, who was a working as computer operator under contract, misappropriated a sum of Rs.90,93,000/- by forging the signature of the petitioner in the cheques and presented the same before the Bank, for which, an FIR was registered against him and the petitioner was also suspended from service, since the occurrence had taken place during his tenure as Executive Officer in Bhuvanagiri Town Panchayat.
3.1. In regard to enquire the said incident, an enquiry officer was appointed, who has filed a report stating that the charges against the petitioners were proved. Thereafter, the petitioner was issued with a second show cause notice on 10.10.2024, for which, explanation was also filed on 06.11.2024. Subsequently, the petitioner has sent a representation to the second respondent, seeking reinstatement, pending enquiry. Based on the reply and explanation sent by the petitioner, the second respondent vide his letter dated 04.04.2025, directed the enquiry officer to conduct a De-Novo enquiry and to file a report within 15 days therefrom. However, the same was not filed by the enquiry officer. Hence, the petitioner has come forward with the present writ petition.
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4. Though many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this Court issues direction to the second respondent to conclude the disciplinary proceedings pending against the petitioner.
5. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the disciplinary proceedings will be concluded by the respondents within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court.
6. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
7. Considering the limited relief sought by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the second respondent to conclude the disciplinary proceedings, pending against the petitioner, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 05.01.2026 vm Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No To:
1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Director of Town Panchayats, Urban Administrative Building, No.75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai - 600 028.
3.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Cuddalore Zone, Cuddalore District.
4.The Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, (Enquiry Officer), Coimbatore Zone, Coimbatore District.
5.The Executive Officer, Bhuvanagiri Town Panchayat, Cuddalore District.
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M.DHANDAPANI, J.
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