C.Selvakumar v. The Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE Dr.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN C.Selvakumar ... Petitioner /Vs./ 1.The Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi.
2.The Principal Secretary, Department of Adi Dravidar & Tribal Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai. 3.The Director, Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfare, Chepauk, Chennai.
4.The Managing Director, TAHDCO, Teynampet, Chennai.
5.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.
6.The District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, Madurai District, Madurai.
... Respondents 1/6
PRAYER:- Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents no.2 to 4 to take immediate steps to upgrade and integrate the existing Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools and Hostels in Tamil Nadu into high standard residential schools with the 1st respondent Central Government assistance, with academic and hostel facilities on par with reputed private institutions based on the petitioner's representation dated 08.09.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Selvakumar (party-in-person) For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar, Government Pleader (R2, R3, R5, R6)
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by Dr.ANITA SUMANTH, J.) The petitioner claims to have instituted this writ petition in public interest. His prayer is for a mandamus directing the respondents 2 to 4 to take steps to upgrade and integrate the Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools and Hostels in Tamil Nadu and convert them into residential Schools running on comparable standards with schools in the rest of the country.
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2. He also suggests that, for this purpose, Central Government assistance may be taken in order that the bast academic residential facilities may be provided to the students. He has in fact made a representation on 08.09.2025 to this effect and we believe that, rather than the Court consider this matter, as several policy measures are involved in taking a decision on the suggestions of the petitioner, it would be better he makes his representation himself to the authorities.
3. Mr.P.Thilak Kumar, learned Government Pleader who appears for R2, R3, R5 & R6 states that R3 would be appropriate authority to consider the representation of the petitioner.
4. Hence, after having ascertained the availability of R3, the petitioner is permitted to appear before R3 on Wednesday, the 19th of November 2025, at 12.00 noon, at the office of the Director, Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfare, Chepauk, Chennai.
5. The petitioner shall be granted audience and his suggestions on the subject of upgradation of Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools and Hostels in Madurai shall be taken note of and incorporated wherever possible.
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6. R3 is also directed to obtain necessary inputs in this regard from the competent authority in Madurai District being the District Collectors and District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officers in different Districts in order that a consultative and proper decision be taken as expeditiously possible, in any event, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of personal hearing of the representation.
7. This writ petition is disposed in light of this order. No costs. [A.S.M.J.,] & [C.K.J.,] 06.11.2025 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes mbi 4/6
To 1.The Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi.
2.The Principal Secretary, Department of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai. 3.The Director, Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfar, Chepauk, Chennai.
4.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.
5.The District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, Madurai District, Madurai.
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Dr.ANITA SUMANTH, J.
AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.
mbi Order made in Dated:
06.11.2025 6/6