R.Karunakaran v. The Additional Chief Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 08.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR R.Karunakaran ... Petitioner -vs1.Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Culture and Religious Endowments Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009 2.The Commissioner HR & CE Department Nungambakkam, Chennai-34 ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to conclude the disciplinary proceedings pending against the petitioner in Charge Memo dated 18.02.2021 in Na.Ka.No.13624/2016-4/A3 pursuant to the enquiry report filed by the Inquiry Officer / Joint Commissioner and consequently disburse all the terminal benefits with accrued interest till date in the light of petitioner's representations dated 17.03.2025 and 11.09.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :

Mr.S.Guruprasath For Respondents :

Mr.B.Ramanathan Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

Mr.B.Ramanathan, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for the respondents.

2. With the consent of both sides, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

4. The short grievance of the petitioner in this writ petition is that the disciplinary proceedings, that were initiated against him by issuing a charge memo vide proceedings bearing Na.Ka.No.13624/2016-4/A3, dated 18.02.2021, have not been concluded as on date in spite of conclusion of the enquiry proceedings and submission of the report of the Enquiry Officer. The matter is pending before the first respondent for no reason. Because of the pendency of the disciplinary proceedings, the terminal benefits of the petitioner are not being disbursed in spite of the fact that he has retired from service as early as on 31.05.2023. Hence, the petitioner has approached this

Court by filing this writ petition seeking appropriate direction to the respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings.

5. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, submitted that the first respondent would pass appropriate orders and conclude the disciplinary proceedings within a period of eight weeks.

6. In the light of the above, this writ petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to conclude the disciplinary proceedings by passing final orders as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In case if the disciplinary proceedings are not concluded within the stipulated period, all the terminal benefits, that are due and payable to the petitioner, shall be released without any further delay with interest as per the rules. No costs. 08.04.2026 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No krk

To:

1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai-34.

MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J.

krk 08.04.2026