Ramachandran v. The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 24.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR and W.M.P(MD)Nos.6359, 6360, 6367, 6369 & 6370 of 2026 Ramachandran ... Petitioner in W.P(MD) No.7781 of 2026 Muthu Karunakaran ... Petitioner in W.P(MD) No.7782 of 2026 Vs.

1.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukovil Irukkankudi, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

2.The Hereditary Trustee Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukovil Irukkankudi, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

... Respondents in both writ petitions 1/6

COMMON PRAYER: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent by his proceeding in Na.Ka.No.330/2020/A2, dated 15.12.2025 and quash the same.

In both writ petitions For Petitioners : Mr.D.Rameshkumar For Respondents : Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan - for R1 Mr.N.Dilipkumar - for R2 COMMON ORDER As the issue that arises for consideration in both the writ petitions is one and the same, both the writ petitions are taken up for consideration and are being disposed of by this common order.

2. The petitioners here in were selected and appointed as a sanitary worker in the year 2021 and accordingly, their pay has been fixed as level 16 (1) that is Rs.15,700/- to Rs.50,000/- and they have been 2/6

drawing the said pay in the said pay scale for all these years. While so, through the impugned proceedings, the pay of the petitioners have been revised and refixed at a lower level. Through the impugned proceedings dated 15.12.2025 an amount of Rs.4,47,783/- and Rs.4,31,578/- is sought to be recovered from the petitioners, respectively, in monthly instalments, at the rate of Rs.6,219/- and Rs.5,994/-. Aggrieved by the said proceedings, the petitioners have approached this Court by filling the present writ petitions challenging the impugned proceedings dated 15.12.2025.

3. The main ground of challenge is that the impugned proceedings have been issued in violation of the principles of natural justice and without affording an opportunity to the petitioners, adversely affecting their interest.

4. On the other hand, learned standing counsel appearing for the 1st respondent fairly submitted that the impugned proceedings ought not have been issued without affording any opportunity to the petitioners 3/6

and therefore, the matters may be remanded back for fresh consideration, after affording an opportunity to the petitioners.

5. In the light of the above and as it is evident from the impugned proceedings, there is no opportunity that was afforded to the petitioners before issuing the impugned proceedings, in the considered view of this Court, the impugned proceedings cannot be sustained for want of compliance with principles of natural justice.

6. Accordingly, the writ petitions are allowed and the impugned proceedings are hereby quashed, leaving it open to the respondents to take appropriate action in accordance with law. The amounts, if any, recovered from the petitioners pursuant to the impugned proceedings shall be refunded to the petitioners forthwith. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 24.03.2026 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No rm 4/6

To 1.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukovil Irukkankudi, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

2.The Hereditary Trustee Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukovil Irukkankudi, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

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MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR , J.

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