M.Anand Arun Prakash, v. The Additional Chief Secretary To Government,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 29.06.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR and WMP(MD)No.13578 of 2026 M.Anand Arun Prakash ... Petitioner vs.

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department Fort St. George Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Commissioner of Revenue Administration Chepauk Chennai - 600 005.

3. The District Collector Thoothukudi District Thoothukudi.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer Thoothukudi District Thoothukudi ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to conduct transfer counseling only after furnishing of the 1/6

seniority list strictly in accordance with clause 2(I) of G.O.Ms.No.515, Revenue and Disaster Management Department dated 25.08.2008 inclusive of claims under the special category and give opportunity for redressal of grievance prior to the Transfer Counseling and pass such other or further orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Chezhiyan For Respondents : Mr.M.Dinesh Hari Sudarsan Counsel for Government of Tamilnadu (civil side)

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to conduct transfer counseling only after furnishing of the seniority list in accordance with clause 2(I) of G.O.Ms.No.515, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 25.08.2008 inclusive of claims under the special category and given opportunity for redressal of grievance prior to the transfer counselling.

2. The case of the petitioner is that the 4th respondent, while undertaking transfer counselling, is under an obligation to follow the guidelines issued by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.515, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 25.08.2008. However, 2/6

according to the petitioner, the 4th respondent and the other Revenue Divisional Officers, while conducting transfer counselling every year, have been preparing the list of Village Administrative Officers eligible to participate in the counselling according to their whims and fancies, in violation of the guidelines issued under the aforesaid Government Order. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ petition seeking a direction to the 4th respondent to prepare the seniority list in accordance with the said Government Order and thereafter proceed with the transfer counselling, which is scheduled to be held on 30.06.2026.

3. Mr.M.Dinesh Hari Sudarsan, learned Government Counsel (Civil Side) appearing for the respondents, brought to the notice of this Court that the 4th respondent has already prepared the seniority list of Village Administrative Officers eligible to participate in the transfer counselling scheduled to be held on 30.06.2026, vide proceedings No.A1/1321/2026, dated 27.06.2026. A copy of the said proceedings has also been placed before this Court, and a copy thereof has been served on the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. 3/6

4. Counsel for the petitioner submits that if the petitioner is of the view that the seniority list prepared by the 4th respondent vide proceedings dated 27.06.2026 contains any errors or has been prepared in violation of the guidelines issued in the aforesaid Government Order dated 25.08.2008, liberty may be granted to the petitioner to approach the 4th respondent by submitting an appropriate representation.

5. In such circumstances, this Court is of the view that, before proceeding with the transfer counselling, the 4th respondent shall consider all objections, if any, raised by the petitioner with regard to the seniority list and thereafter proceed to conduct the counselling as scheduled and in accordance with law. It is made clear that the 4th respondent is bound by the guidelines issued in G.O.Ms.No.515, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 25.08.2008. Therefore, the 4th respondent shall strictly and scrupulously adhere to the said guidelines while conducting the transfer counselling scheduled to be held on 30.06.2026.

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6. With the said observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 29.06.2026 Index : Yes / No : Yes / No gvn Note:

Issue order copy on 29.06.2026 To

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department Fort St. George Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Commissioner of Revenue Administration Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

3. The District Collector Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

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MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J.

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