S.Chandra v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07-01-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI S.Chandra W/O. Selvaraj, Secondary Grade Teacher, Vadakuthanivarathukadu, Kamaraj Nagar, Ramanayakkanpalayam, Attur, Salem District.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Commissioner Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Chepauk, '
Chennai-600 005
2. The District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer Salem District, Salem ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to pass orders to restore the petitioner in the post of Secondary Grade Matron/Secondary Grade Teacher in any one of the existing vacancies available in Salem District in consideration of representation submitted by the petitioner dated 28.11.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s. Nedunchezhiyan For Respondent(s):
Mr.K.Surendran, Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to restore the petitioner to the post of Secondary Grade Matron/Secondary Grade Teacher in any one of the existing vacancies available in Salem District, by considering the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 28.11.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court. 2.The case of the petitioner is that she was appointed as a Secondary Grade Teacher in the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department in the year 2015 and has rendered continuous service with an unblemished record. In due course, the petitioner was transferred and posted as Secondary Grade Matron at the Social Welfare Girls Hostel, Attur, Salem District on 01.02.2022. The hostel accommodates about 100 girl students belonging to marginalised communities.
The hostel building in question is very old, dilapidated and unfit for habitation. The petitioner submitted repeated representations to the authorities highlighting the dangerous condition of the hostel and the health issues faced by the students.
condition and advised reconstruction from 2022 onwards. However, no remedial steps were taken by the department. While the petitioner's representations were pending, an order of suspension dated 13.08.2025 was suddenly issued, followed by a charge memo under Rule 17(b) dated 11.09.2025. The allegation was that the petitioner had taken four students to her residence and made them work, which was categorically false. In fact, the students had gone out only for medical treatment due to skin diseases. The suspension was subsequently revoked on 13.11.2025, acknowledging the untenable nature of the allegations. Upon reinstatement, the petitioner was transferred to the Government ADW Middle School, Siruvangore, Kallakurichi District, which is about 60 kilometers away from her residence.
The said transfer caused severe hardship, as she is responsible for the care of her minor daughter and aged mother-in-law. Despite several vacancies being available within Salem District, no consideration was shown to accommodate the petitioner. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation within a reasonable time.
4.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that they will consider the petitioner's representation and pass appropriate orders within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court. 5.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 28.11.2025 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, 6.With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 07-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA
To
1. The Commissioner Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Chepauk, '
Chennai-600 005
2. The District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer Salem District, Salem
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
UMA 07-01-2026