A.Santhi v. The Superintending Engineer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 25.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.(MD) No.20279 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD) No.15682 of 2025 A.Santhi : Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintending Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco), Thanjavur District.

Thanjavur.

2. The Executive Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco), North Kumbakonom, Kumbakonom, Thanjavur.

: Respondents P RAYER:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records of the 1st respondents Impugned Show cause Notice in Ku.Aa.No. 4687/46NiP5/Ni.Mae/NiVu1/Koo.O.Na/2025 dated 09.04.2025 and quash the same as devoid of merits and for such other reliefs, within the period as stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.A.Haja Mohideen For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramanathan Standing Counsel

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned Show cause Notice in Ku.Aa.No.4687/46NiP5/Ni.Mae/NiVu1/Koo.O.Na/2025 dated 09.04.2025.

2. The petitioner was appointed on compassionate ground as Office Helper on 08.08.2014 in the respondent office. While this being so, the respondents initiated disciplinary proceedings as against the petitioner as if the petitioner had cheated the respondents by producing bogus educational certificates by issuing show cause notice on 09.01.2024. After completion of enquiry, another show cause notice dated 09.04.2025 was issued. Challenging the same, this writ petition came to be filed.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that admittedly, the petitioner joined in the respondent office in the year 2/6

2014, whereas a charge memo was issued to the petitioner on 09.01.2024, as if the petitioner had cheated the respondents by producing bogus educational certificates, which is unsustainable in law. Accordingly, he prayed for quash of the impugned show cause notice.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents would submit that the show cause notice was issued against the petitioner on 09.01.2024, pursuant to which, the petitioner participated in the enquiry proceedings. After completion of enquiry, a final show cause notice dated 09.04.2025 has been issued to the petitioner. Hence, at the stage of final show cause notice being issued, the petitioner seeking quash of the show cause notice is inappropriate. If the petitioner is aggrieved by the show cause notice, he can very well file an explanation and this Court may also issue a direction to pass final orders on the same.

5. In view of the above, this Court directs the petitioner to file an explanation to the show cause notices and on receipt of the same, the respondents are directed to pass final orders on the disciplinary proceedings pending against the petitioner, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the explanation from the petitioner. 3/6

6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

25.08.2025 Index : Yes / No (2/2) NCC : Yes / No Sm 4/6

To:-

1. The Superintendent Engineer (TANGEDCO), Aringar Anna Buildng, Maharaja Nagar, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District - 627 011.

2. The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Distribution / Rural, Tirunelveli Tirunelveli District - 627 011.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J.

Sm W.P.(MD) No.20279 of 2025 (2/2) 25.08.2025 6/6