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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/3570/2026disposed of

C.Murugan v. The District Collector

2026-02-09Honourable Mr Justice B.Pugalendhi5 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 09.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD)No.3570 of 2026 and WMP(MD)Nos.2907 and 2911 of 2026 C.Murugan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Collectorate, Kanniyakumari District.

2. Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, O/o. Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District.

3. The Executive Officer, Attoor Town Panchayat, Attoor, Kanniyakumari District.

... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the order passed by the 1st respondent in his proceedings in Roc.No.6025/2025/Q5 dated 29.05.2025 and quash the same and direct the respondents to restore the petitioner in his position as Bill Collector of the 3rd respondent from 29.05.2025 with all benefits. 1/5

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Krishnamurthy For Respondents : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, Special Government Pleader

ORDER

The petitioner, working as a Bill Collector in Attoor Town Panchayat, has been placed under suspension, by order dated 29.05.2025, pursuant to a criminal case registered against him in Cr.No.6 of 2025 on 28.05.2025 on the file of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department. Challenging the same, the present writ petition has been filed.

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that within 48 hours of his arrest, he has been placed under suspension and that too on a vague complaint. He also expressed his concern that he is due to retire from service on 30.06.2026 and now, he has been placed under suspension, without even issuing a charge memo against him.

3. Pendency of a criminal case is not a bar for the respondents to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings, in view of the decisions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The guidelines have already been issued by the Government, vide G.O.Ms.No.66, Human Resources Management (N) 2/5

Department, dated 06.07.2022 that there can be simultaneous disciplinary proceedings pending the criminal cases and time limit has also been fixed by the Government vide G.O.Ms.No.81, Human Resources Management (N) Department, dated 04.08.2022.

4. Therefore, the respondents are directed to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings initiated as against the petitioner, by following the guidelines issued by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.66, Human Resources Management (N) Department, dated 06.07.2022 and G.O.Ms.No.81, Human Resources Management (N) Department, dated 04.08.2022 and conclude the same, as expeditiously as possible, before he attains the age of superannuation.

5. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 09.02.2026 ogy Index : Yes / No.

Internet : Yes / No.

NCC : Yes / No.

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To

1. The District Collector, Collectorate, Kanniyakumari District.

2. Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, O/o. Assistant Director of Town Panchayats, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District.

3. The Executive Officer, Attoor Town Panchayat, Attoor, Kanniyakumari District.

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

ogy WP(MD) No.3570 of 2026 09.02.2026 5/5