N.Viswanathan v. The Engineer-In-Chief And Chief Engineer (General)
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 21.01.2026 CORAM :
THE HON`BLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI and WMP.(MD)Nos.1021 & 1023 of 2026 N.Viswanathan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Engineer-in-Chief and Chief Engineer(General) Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
2.The Chief Engineer, Madurai Region, Water Resources Department, Tallakulam, Madurai-625 002.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the impugned order of transfer issued by the first respondent in S.3(1)/2011/2026 dated 05.01.2026 in respect of the portion of the order in Serial No. 10 in the Annexure transferring the Petitioner from Vaigaidam Sub 1/6
Division, Water Resources Department, Vaigai Dam to Nanganjiyar Reservoir Project, Sub Division No.4, Idayakottai and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to work continuously as Assistant at Vaigai dam Sub Division.
For Petitioner : Mr.V.Thirumal For Respondents : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, Special Government Pleader.
ORDER
The petitioner is working as an Assistant at Vaigaidam Sub Division, Periyar-Vaigai Basin Division, Madurai Region. He has been transferred by the order impugned in this writ petition dated 05.01.2026 from Vaigaidam Sub Division to Nangaanchiyaru, Sub Division-4, Idaiyakottai. Challenging the same, the petitioner has filed the present petition.
2/6
2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is on the verge of retirement and he is making arrangements for his daughter's marriage. Further, he is taking care of his aged mother and therefore, he prays to set aside the order impugned.
3.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that apart from this petitioner, 15 other employees have also been transferred. According to him, the petitioner is working in Vaigaidam Sub Division for a continuous period of 6 years and he has been transferred to Nangaanchiyaru, Sub Division-4, Idaiyakottai, which is only 120 kilometers away. Further, he submits that the petitioner has been relieved and the incumbent, one Nathiya, has also joined duty in the petitioner's place, on 09.01.2026.
4.This Court has considered the submissions made on either side and perused the available records.
3/6
5.Transfer is an incident of service. At the same time, the petitioner claims that he is arranging marriage for her daughter and he is taking care of his aged mother. Therefore, the respondents are directed to consider the case of the petitioner sympathetically and accommodate the petitioner in any nearer place to his native place. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
21.01.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes gns 4/6
To 1.The Engineer-in-Chief and Chief Engineer(General) Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
2.The Chief Engineer, Madurai Region, Water Resources Department, Tallakulam, Madurai-625 002.
5/6
B.PUGALENDHI,J gns 21.01.2026 6/6