Shanmugapriya v. The Principal District Judge

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 24/01/2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH AND THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE A.D. MARIA CLETE WP(MD). No.1477 of 2025 Shanmugapriya ... Petitioner Vs.

The Principal District Judge, Thanjavur District.

(Disciplinary Authority), ... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned punishment order passed by the respondent in his proceedings in A.No.50/2022/AW-1 in DP No.08/2022 dated 19.04.2023 and quash the same as illegal.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.A.Ebenezer For Respondent : Mr.K.Samidurai Standing Counsel 1/4

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by M.S.RAMESH,J.) By consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2. As against the penalty imposed in the disciplinary proceedings initiated under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules (hereinafter referred to as 'Rules'), the petitioner is entitled to prefer an appeal under Rule 19 of the Rules.

3. While a statutory appellate remedy is available to the petitioner, bypassing the same and invoking Article 226 of the Constitution of India is impermissible barring few exceptions. The grounds raised in the present Writ Petition do not touch upon any of such exceptions and as such, the prayer sought for in the present Writ Petition does not deserve consideration. Further more, the impugned order was passed on 19.04.2023 and the two month appeal period prescribed under G.O.Ms.No.1088 Public (Service N) Department, dated 04.04.1975 has 2/4

long since expired. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner sought liberty to approach the appellate authority. Accordingly, liberty is granted to the petitioner to approach the appellate authority within 15 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order, along with the necessary application for condonation of delay. If such application is filed, the appellate authority shall consider and dispose of it on its merits.

4. With the above liberty, this Writ Petition stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

[M.S.R.,J] [A.D.M.C.,J] 24.01.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No RR To The Principal District Judge, (Disciplinary Authority), Thanjavur District 3/4

M.S. RAMESH , J.

AND A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.

RR WP(MD).No.1477 of 2025 24.01.2025 4/4