R.Raju v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 08.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR R.Raju ... Petitioner -vs1.The Commissioner Endowments Department Nungambakkam Chennai-600 034 2.The Joint Commissioner cum Executive Officer Incorporated and Unincorporated Devasoms Endowments Department Suchindram, Kanyakumari District 3.The Chairman Board of Trustees Incorporated and Unincorporated Devasoms Endowments Department Suchindram, Kanyakumari District ... Respondents

PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to promote the petitioner in any one of the available vacancies for the promotional post of "Thirukovil Niruvaga Ilanilai Udhaviyalar", "Junior Assistant", "Suit Writer", "Record Clerk" from the feeder post of Kavalar/Watchman, by considering the petitioner's representations dated 14.03.2020 and 06.10.2025, within a time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner :

Mr.C.Kishore For Respondents :

Mr.B.Ramanathan Additional Government Pleader for R1 & R2

O R D E R

Mr.B.Ramanathan, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for the respondents 1 & 2.

2. In view of the relief sought in this writ petition, notice to the third respondent is dispensed with.

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

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 & 2.

5. The petitioner is stated to have been appointed as Watchman on 01.11.1997 in the second respondent's office and he has been continuing in the said post for the past about 28 years with unblemished service. It is the further case of the petitioner that he is fully qualified and eligible for promotion to various posts, such as, Thirukovil Niruvaga Ilanilai Udhaviyalar, Junior Assistant, Suit Writer, Record Clerk. However, the case of the petitioner has not been considered by the respondents for promotion. Under those circumstances, the petitioner claims to have submitted representations dated 14.03.2020 and 06.10.2025. As the case of the petitioner has not been considered in spite of repeated representations, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ petition seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider his case for promotion.

6. As the issue is still pending consideration before the respondents, this Court is not inclined to enter into the merits of the case and this Court is of the considered view that it would be appropriate to direct the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner at the first instance.

7. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of directing the second respondent to consider the representations dated 14.03.2020 and 06.10.2025 submitted by the petitioner for promotion in accordance with the rules and to pass appropriate orders thereon as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

08.04.2026 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No krk To:

1.The Commissioner, Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

2.The Joint Commissioner cum Executive Officer, Incorporated and Unincorporated Devasoms, Endowments Department, Suchindram, Kanyakumari District.

MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J.

krk 08.04.2026