Jothipratab v. The Additional Registrar General
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 24.06.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and WMP(MD)No.12752 of 2026 Jothipratab ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Additional Registrar General, Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, Madurai.
2. The Principal District Judge, Principal District Court, Ramanathapuram District.
3. The Additional District Judge, Additional District Court, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.
4. The Principal District Judge, Principal District Court, Dharmapuri District.
... Respondents PRAYER :- 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 impugned proceedings in D.No.A1/1681/2026 dated 30.03.2026 on the file of the 2nd respondent insofar as it relates to the petitioner, quash the same and consequently direct the respondent No.2 to forward the 1/5
petitioner's transfer representation to the respondent No.1 and to consider the petitioner's request for transfer to Dharmapuri District, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.M.A.Jinnah For Respondents : Mr.N.Mohideen Basha, Standing Counsel
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) Challenging the proceedings in D.No.A1/1681/2026 dated 30.03.2026 of the learned Principal District Judge, Ramanathapuram District, this writ petition is filed with a consequential direction to forward the petitioner's transfer representation to the respondent No.1 and to consider the petitioner's request for transfer to Dharmapuri District, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.
2. According to the petitioner, he joined as driver in Ramanathapuram District Court and there is a vacancy in Dharmapuri. Seeking transfer to Dharmapuri district, the petitioner made an application to the 2nd respondent for forwarding the same to the High Court. Since the said transfer application has not been considered and returned by the 2nd respondent, this writ petition is filed.
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3. The petitioner has also sought for interim injunction restraining the respondents from filling up, appointing or posting anyone to the post of driver in any of the vacancies in Dharmapuri District Court, until the disposal of this writ petition. We are of the view that the very interim relief claimed is misconceived. Though the petitioner can seek for transfer, the transfer is not automatic and it is subject to various factors namely, considering the nature of the vacancy occurred in a particular district court etc. The impugned proceedings itself clearly indicates that almost 15 staff members including the petitioner are recently appointed. Therefore, if the request of the petitioner and others is considered and forwarded to the High Court, there will be huge vacancies in the particular district court. Considering the overall circumstances, learned Principal District Judge has returned the transfer application of the petitioner and 14 others.
4. We are also conscious of the fact that there are huge number of vacancies yet to be filled up in all the Judicial departments which has not been done by the State Government. If the request of the petitioner and 14 others is considered and forwarded, then the vacancies in the particular district court will remain forever and it will, in fact, have serious impact on the administration of justice in the district courts. Hence, we do not find any merits in the writ petition. However, if any adequate number of vacancies are available, then the 3/5
learned Principal District Judge, may forward the application of the petitioner in future.
5. With the above observation, the Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] Index : Yes / No 24.06.2026 : Yes / No bala To
1. The Additional Registrar General, Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, Madurai.
2. The Principal District Judge, Principal District Court, Ramanathapuram District.
3. The Additional District Judge, Additional District Court, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.
4. The Principal District Judge, Principal District Court, Dharmapuri District.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.
bala ORDER MADE IN DATED :
24.06.2026 5/5