The Secretary v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.06.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.13339 and 13340 of 2025 The Secretary, St. Ignatius College of Education (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli - 627 002.
... Petitioner -vs1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
3.The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli - 627 008.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned proceedings of the second respondent Director of Collegiate Education in E.File No.TNDCE / 712/2025-F4 dated 05.02.2025 and the consequential proceedings of the third respondent Joint Director of Collegiate Education in
Na.Ka.No.12957/U3/2023, dated 25.02.2025, quash the same and further direct the third respondent Joint Director to approve forthwith the promotion of Dr.Sr.L.Vasanthi Medona as Principal in the petitioner College w.e.f. 03.02.2022, with all attendant benefits including arrears of salary and allowances. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Ragatheesh Kumar for M/s.Isaac Chambers For Respondents : Mr.T.Amjadkhan Government Advocate
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking to quash the impugned proceedings of the second respondent, the Director of Collegiate Education, in E.File No.TNDCE/712/2025-F4, dated 05.02.2025 and the consequential proceedings of the third respondent, the Joint Director of Collegiate Education, in Na.Ka.No.12957/U3/2023, dated 25.02.2025. The petitioner further prays for a direction to the third respondent to forthwith approve the promotion of Dr.Sr.L.Vasanthi Medona as Principal of the petitioner College with effect from 03.02.2022, along with all attendant benefits, including arrears of salary and allowances.
2. By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that Dr.Sr.L.Vasanthi Medona was eligible and duly recommended for promotion as 'Principal' of the petitioner College, following the vacancy caused by the retirement of Principal Rajeswari on 31.05.2017 and has been functioning in that capacity with effect from 03.02.2022. However, despite her eligibility and continuous service, the approval of her promotion has been withheld pursuant to the impugned proceedings issued by the second respondent dated 05.02.2025 and the consequential proceedings of the third respondent dated 25.02.2025.
4. It is submitted that the impugned proceedings are arbitrary, unjustified and in violation of the petitioner's right to have a qualified and duly appointed Principal recognised by the competent authority. The petitioner contends that there is no legal impediment to the approval of Dr.Sr.L.Vasanthi Medona's promotion and the delay is causing serious administrative inconvenience and denial of rightful salary and service benefits to the individual concerned.
5. The learned Government Advocate for the respondents submits that if the petitioner submits a fresh representation outlining all her grievances to the third respondent, the same will be considered in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
6. Recording the above submissions, this Writ Petition is disposed of, with a direction to the petitioner to submit a fresh representation outlining her grievances to the third respondent, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Upon receipt of such representation, the third respondent shall consider it on merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after giving due opportunity to the petitioner, within a period of three weeks thereafter. It is also made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the third respondent to consider the same on its own merits. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. NCC : Yes / No 27.06.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2
To:- 1.The Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Higher Education, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
3.The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli - 627 008.
VIVEK KUMAR SINGH , J.
smn2 27.06.2025