S.Jeyajothi v. The Director Of School Education

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.20250 of 2025 S.Jeyajothi Physical Education Teacher, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Director of School Education, Office of the Director of School Education, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2. The Chief Educational Officer, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

3. The District Educational Officer (Secondary Grade) Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

4. The Secretary, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

5. A.Ayyanar Correspondent, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

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6. The Headmaster, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to refer the petitioner's complaint dated 01.04.2025 to the Internal Complaint's Committee constituted under Section 4 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and consequently enquire the petitioner's complaint of sexual harassment and conclude the enquiry, within the stipulated time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.H.Mohammed Imran For M/s.Ajmal Associates For R1 to R3 : Mr.M.Sidharthan Additional Government Pleader For R4 : Mr.V.Meenakshi Sundaram

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed by the Physical Education Teacher working in the fourth respondent School seeking a Mandamus as against the respondents 1 to 3 to refer the petitioner's complaint dated 01.04.2025 to the Internal Complaint's Committee constituted under Section 4 2/5

of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

2. According to the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner, the petitioner has given a complaint to the fourth respondent School alleging sexual harassment at the hands of the respondents 5 and 6 on 01.04.2025. Even though three months have elapsed, the Management has not referred the said complaint to the Internal Complaint's Committee. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

3. Heard Mr.V.Meenakshi Sundaram, learned counsel appearing for the fourth respondent.

4. Considering the above said facts, the fourth respondent is directed to refer the complaint to the Internal Complaint's committee within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In case, if the petitioner is aggrieved over the constitution of the Committee or the proceedings of the Committee, she is always at liberty to move the respondents 1 to 3 herein for appropriate relief. 3/5

5. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

29.07.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To

1. The Director of School Education, Office of the Director of School Education, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2. The Chief Educational Officer, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

3. The District Educational Officer (Secondary Grade) Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

4. The Secretary, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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