Shanmuganarayanan v. The Additional Chief Secretary / Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP (MD) Nos.10166, 10167 & 10169 of 2025 Shanmuganarayanan ... Petitioner vs.
1. The Additional Chief Secretary / Commissioner, Revenue Administration , Disaster Management and Mitigation Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005.
2. The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.
3. The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Special Tahsildar ( Land Acquisition ), Double Broad Gauge Railway Line, Unit - I , Virudhunagar.
... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus,calling for the records 1/6
relating to the impugned charge memorandum dated 27.10.2023 issued by the 3rd respondent in proceedings A-107/2/2023-A2 and a proceedings of 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.A1/A-4/1/2025-1 dated 05.05.2025 in so far as non-inclusion of petitioners name for promotion to the post of Deputy Tahsildar and quash the same as arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional and consequently direct the respondents to promote the petitioner to the post of Deputy Tahsildar with all consequential monetary and service benefits within time frame. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Balamurugan For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner challenging the charge memo dated 27.10.2023 issued by the third respondent under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules and consequently, to grant him temporary promotion, pending the criminal case.
2. The case of the petitioner is that while he was working as a Senior Revenue Inspector in the Revenue Department, a criminal prosecution was initiated as against him. Pursuant thereto, a charge memo dated 27.10.2023 was 2/6
issued under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, by the third respondent. Subsequently, by proceedings dated 05.05.2025, the second respondent excluded the petitioner's name from the panel for promotion to the post of Deputy Tahsildar. Aggrieved by the said proceedings, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would further submit that the petitioner would be satisfied if a direction is issued to the respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings and pass appropriate orders thereon, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
4. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record.
5. Considering the limited scope of the prayer now sought by the petitioner and this Court, without going into the merits of the matter, in the interest of justice and to ensure that the issue is adjudicated fairly and without undue delay, is inclined to permit the disciplinary proceedings to be conducted and concluded in a time-bound manner.
3/6
6. Accordingly, this Court directs the respondents to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings and complete the same within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that the enquiry shall be conducted strictly in accordance with law and the petitioner shall be afforded due opportunity to submit his explanation and to participate in the enquiry proceedings. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
22.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes PKN 4/6
To
1. The Additional Chief Secretary / Commissioner, Revenue Administration , Disaster Management and Mitigation Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005.
2. The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar .
3. The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate , Virudhunagar District.
4. The Special Tahsildar ( Land Acquisition ), Double Broad Gauge Railway Line, Unit - I , Virudhunagar.
5/6
M.DHANDAPANI ,J.
PKN ORDER MADE IN DATED : 22.08.2025 6/6