The Secretary v. The Chief Educational Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 17/06/2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR and WMP(MD)Nos.11944,11945, 10417 and 10418 of 2026 In WP(MD). No.15942 of 2026:
The Secretary, Nehru National Higher Secondary School, Vadakankulam, Tirunelveli District.
... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Chief Educational Officer, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli..
2. The District Education Officer, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli..
3. M.Ramapriya ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorari calling for records relating to the impugned proceedings of the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.No. 4861/Aa5/2024 dated 30.12.2025 and Na.Ka.No.4861/Aa5/2024 dated 20.03.2026 and quash the same as illegal.
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In WP(MD)No.13981 of 2026:
M.Ramapriya ... Petitioner Vs
1. The Director of School Education, O/o.The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, Chennai -600 026..
2. The Chief Educational Officer, O/o. the Chief Educational Office, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District..
3. The District Educational Officer, O/o. the District Educational Office, Tirunelveli,Tirunelveli District.
4. The Secretary, Nehru National Higher Secondary School, Vadakangulam - 627 116, Tirunelveli District..
5. Bagavath Singh ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of MANDAMUS directing the 4th respondent to reinstate the Petitioner in service in pursuant to the proceedings issued by the 3rd Respondent in Na. Ka. No.4861/Aa5/2024 dated 30.12.2025 and consequently to commence and conclude the disciplinary proceedings within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
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In WP(MD)No.15942 of 2026:
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Rameez Ajmal Khan For R1 & R2 : Mr.K.K.Udayakumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Civil Side) In WP(MD)No.13981 of 2026:
For Petitioner : Mr.H.Mohammed Imran for M/s.Ajmal Associates For R1 to R3 : Mrs.K.Porkodi Government Pleader For R4 & R5 : Mr.S.A.Ajmah Khan COMMON ORDER Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner in both the writ petitions and the respective counsels for the respondents. 2.WP(MD)No.13981 of 2026 has been filed by the petitioner seeking implementation of the orders passed by the respective District Educational Officer, Tirunelveli, in proceedings bearing Na.Ka4861/ Aa5/2024 dated 30.12.2025, whereby there was a direction remanding the matter back to the management for conducting enquiry afresh. As no enquiry has been conducted by the fifth respondent Management, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing WP(MD)No.13981 of 2026 praying to reinstate the petitioner in service. 3/6
3. WP(MD)No.15942 of 2026 has been filed by the management of the school challenging the proceedings dated 30.12.2025 and dated 20.03.2026 on the ground that the said proceedings have been issued without affording any opportunity to the petitioner management.
4. Both the writ petitions are taken up for consideration together. Mr.H.Mohammed Imran, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner in WP(MD)No.13981 of 2026 fairly submitted that no opportunity has been afforded to the management of the school in question while passing the order dated 30.12.2025 and 20.03.2026 by the District Educational Officer and therefore, the matter may be remanded back to the District Educational Officer for reconsidering the matter afresh.
5. In the light of the above, without going into the other aspects of the matter, the impugned proceedings dated 30.12.2025 and 20.03.2026 are hereby quashed only on the ground of violation of principles of natural justice. The District Educational Officer (Secondary), Tirunelveli District, is directed to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner in 4/6
WP(MD)13981 of 2026 as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order duly affording an opportunity to the management of the School.
6. In fine, the writ petitions are disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 17.06.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No CM TO
1. The Chief Educational Officer, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli..
2. The District Education Officer, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli
3. The Director of School Education, O/o.The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, Chennai -600 026..
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MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR,J CM and WMP(MD)Nos.11944,11945, 10417 and 10418 of 2026 Date : 17/06/2026 6/6