Dr.T.Pravin v. P.Senthilkumar And Another
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Contempt Petition Nos.432 and 433 of 2026 Dr.T.Pravin District Programme Officer (NCD) O/o Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai 600 006.
.. Petitioner in both petitions Vs
1. The Principal Secretary Department Of Health And Family Welfare Secretariat, Chennai -600 009
2. Dr.A.Somasundaram The Director, Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Teynampet Chennai 600 006.
.. Respondents in both petitions Prayer : Contempt Petitions under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 to punish the respondents for their act of contempt of court and failure to comply the order of this Court passed in W.M.P.Nos.33875 and 33876 of 2025 in W.P.Nos.30192 and 30184 of 2025 dated 21.08.2025.
For Petitioner :
Mr. V.Balasubramani For Respondents :
Ms. M.Sneha Special Counsel For Health And Family Welfare Department COMMON ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) These contempt petitions under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 have been filed alleging non-compliance of the order dated 21.08.2025, whereby this Court had passed the following order:
"
In the meanwhile, taking into consideration the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner that, in the matter of appointment / promotion to the post of Health Officer in the petitioner's department, a discriminatory treatment is meted out in allowing officers of the Medical Education Department to compete for the post of Health Officer, but no such vice versa provision exists allowing officers in the petitioner's department to be considered for promotion to the equivalent post in the Medical
Education Department, it is directed that the selection of the last candidate shall be subject to the final outcome of the petition and shall not be confirmed until further orders."
2. Learned counsel for the respondents has submitted that G.O.(D) No.1052, Health and Family Welfare Department dated 22.09.2025, has been passed, appointing the last person in the post concerned, specifically mentioning that his appointment shall be subject to the final outcome of the writ petitions in W.P.Nos.30184 and 30192 of 2025.
3. We have perused the Government Order dated 22.09.2025 and find that the last person has already been appointed with a rider that his appointment shall remain subject to the final outcome of the writ petitions. The said Government Order is taken on record.
4. In view of the aforesaid, we do not find any wilful disobedience on the part of the respondents. No contempt is made
out as alleged by the petitioner. Accordingly, the contempt petitions are dismissed.
(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 10.03.2026 kst To
1. The Principal Secretary Department Of Health And Family Welfare Secretariat, Chennai -600 009
2. Dr.A.Somasundaram The Director, Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Teynampet Chennai 600 006.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
Kst CONT.P.Nos.432 and 433 of 2026 10.03.2026