V.Prince Rajendran Vijayakumar v. The Director Of Municipal Administration
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 14.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and C.M.P(MD)No.13275 of 2025 V.Prince Rajendran Vijayakumar S/o.Vedamani Formerly Municipal Engineer, Kadayanallur Municipality, Tenkasi District.
... Appellant Vs.
1.The Director of Municipal Administration, 75, Urban Administrative Building, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-25.
2.Thiru Parthiban Regional Executive Engineer, Office of the Regional Director of Municipal Administration, Chengalpattu
...Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of the Letters Patent Appeal, to set aside the order dated 18.06.2024 passed in W.P(MD)No.12831 of 2024. 1/5
For Appellant : Mr.Naveenkumar Murthi for Mr.K.Shanmuga Sundaram For R1 : Mr.S.P.Maharajan Special Government Pleader
JUDGMENT
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the appellant and Mr.S.P.Maharajan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent.
2. The intra court appeal on hand has been instituted challenging the order passed in W.P(MD)No.12831 of 2024, dated 18.06.2024.
3. The writ petitioner is the appellant before this Court. The writ petition was instituted challenging the charge memorandum, dated 18.07.2023. The learned counsel appearing for the appellant would submit that there was an enormous delay in concluding the departmental proceedings and initiating the disciplinary proceedings and therefore, the writ petition has been instituted seeking quashment of the charge memorandum.
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4. The Writ Court has considered the issues and found that the allegations are to be adjudicated by appointing an Enquiry Officer. Thus, the Writ Court directed the disciplinary authority to complete the enquiry proceedings within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. The learned counsel for the appellant would submit that even after completion of two months, the enquiry is yet to be completed on the ground that the relevant documents have already been filed before the Criminal Court of Law. If so, the parties are at liberty to take the certified copy or Xerox copy from the investigating officer, as the case may be, for the purpose of continuing the departmental disciplinary proceeding. That apart, the Disciplinary Authority has to find out whether any of those documents are required for the purpose of dealt with the charges. All these factors have to be assessed by the authorities and the disciplinary proceedings are to be concluded as expeditiously as possible.
5. It is made clear that pendency of the criminal case is not a bar for completing the disciplinary proceedings and dispose of the matter. In this regard, Government Order has been passed issuing guidelines for disposal of the disciplinary proceedings during the pendency of the criminal case. 3/5
6. In view of the above circumstances, this Court do not find any infirmity in respect of the Writ Court order, however, the authorities shall ensure that the disciplinary proceedings are concluded as expeditiously as possible.
7. Accordingly, the writ appeal stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (S.M.S., J.) & (G.A.M., J.) 14.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No am To 1.The Director of Municipal Administration, 75, Urban Administrative Building, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-25.
2.Thiru Parthiban Regional Executive Engineer, Office of the Regional Director of Municipal Administration, Chengalpattu 4/5
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
AND G.ARUL MURUGAN , J.
am 14.08.2025 5/5