Anbazhagan .R v. The Deputy General Manager
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.11.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA Writ Petition(MD)No.4489 of 2024 R.Anbazhagan .. Petitioner Vs 1.The Deputy General Manager, UCO Bank, Head Office, Credit Monitoring Department, 5th Floor, 10, B.T.M.Sarani, Kolkatta 700 001.
2.The General Manager & Deputy Zonal Manager, UCO Bank, Zonal Office, Vijay Towers, 1st Floor, No.22, Father Bandy Street, R.S.Puram, Coimbatore 641 002.
3.The Branch Manager, UCO Bank, Sivagangai Branch No.6/73, VOC Street, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu 630 561.
.. Respondents 1/6
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents herein to consider the renewal application of the petitioner dated 25.04.2023 as per the certificate of experience issued by the third respondent dated 29.05.2023 on merit and within a reasonable time as may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.V.S.Kumara Guru For Respondents : Mr.C.Deepak (for R3) No appearance (for R1 & R2)
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking for a Mandamus to direct the respondents herein to consider the renewal application of the petitioner dated 25.04.2023 as per the certificate of experience issued by the third respondent dated 29.05.2023 on merit and within a reasonable time as may be fixed by this Court.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that he has been serving as a Panel Chartered Engineer and Approved Valuer of the respondent bank for more than 16 years, since 2008, and has been discharging his work without any complaint or adverse remarks. In view of his sincere and disciplined work, the respondent bank has been periodically renewing his empanelment without any difficulty. Three months prior to expiry of the last term of empanelment, the petitioner 2/6
submitted renewal application on 25.04.2023 to the second respondent requesting renewal of his empanelment with the respondent bank. However, till date, the said representation has not been considered by the respondent bank. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.
3. A counter affidavit has been filed by the third respondent stating that the empanelment and renewal of valuers in UCO Bank is governed strictly by the Empanelment Policy issued by the Head Office, which lays down the criteria, qualification and verification procedure. Hence, the plea of the petitioner that he has been on the panel since 2008 and hence, must be automatically renewed is wholly untenable in law. The valuers, who are intending to renew their empanelment, are required to submit a fresh application with supporting credentials to the Head Office, within the notified time frame and selected valuers have to attend physical verification of their original documents at the respective Zonal Office before the cutoff date. The Head Office alone is empowered to finalize the empanelment list, after receipt of the verified list from the Zonal Offices. The empanelment is not automatic or permanent and it is subject to periodical review and procedural compliance.
4. It is further stated that the petitioner's name was included in the 3/6
provisional list in Chennai Zone, subject to verification of his original documents. Vide e-mail dated 19.04.2023, all the valuers, whose names appeared in the provisional list, were specifically informed that their final empanelment would be confirmed only after submission and verification of original documents on or before 25.04.2023 at the Zonal Office. However, the petitioner failed to submit his originals before the Zonal Office within the deadline fixed, despite adequate opportunity was given to him. Hence, the petitioner's name did not appear in the final list and it was only due to his own failure to comply with the conditions stipulated. Meanwhile, the Head Office finalized and published the list of approved valuers on 26.10.2023 and the same was duly circulated to all Zonal Offices and Branches.
The petitioner remains eligible to apply afresh for empanelment pursuant to any subsequent notification issued for the appointment of valuers, subject to his compliance with the bank's policy, submission of all requisite documents, and adherence to the prescribed verification process and time-lines.
5. In view of the fact that the petitioner has been given preference in view of the fact that he is already valuer and there are no adverse remarks against him, the petitioner is directed to give fresh application within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On receipt of such 4/6
application, the same shall be considered and order to that effect shall be passed within four weeks therefrom.
6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 12.11.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes Rmk To The Branch Manager, UCO Bank, Sivagangai Branch No.6/73, VOC Street, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu 630 561.
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P.T.ASHA, J.
Rmk Writ Petition(MD)No.4489 of 2024 12.11.2025 6/6