Full Judgment
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 01.07.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.13384 of 2026 C.Rajan ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Secretariat Branch, N.P.K.R.R.Maaligai, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. 2.The Superintending Engineer, General Construction Circle, K.Pudur, Madurai - 625 007. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order in Letter No. 9442/A16/A161/2025-1, dated 27.04.2026 on the file of the Respondent No.1 and the consequential impugned order in No. 13.05.2026 on the file of Respondent No.2 and quash the same as illegal and consequently for a direction, directing the Respondent Nos.1 and 2 to restore the selection grade awarded to the petitioner in the post of Store Custodian Grade I with effect from 05.11.2023 and the consequential pay fixation in the post of Store Supervisor with effect from 21.10.2024 with all consequential benefits within the time period stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Aswin Raja Simman For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramanathan *****
ORDER
Heard Mr.T.Aswin Raja Simman for the Petitioner and Mr.B.Ramanathan for the Respondents.
2. This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of Writ of
Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the impugned order in Letter No. 9442/A16/A161/2025-1, dated 27.04.2026 on the file of the Respondent No.1 and the consequential impugned order in No. 13.05.2026 on the file of Respondent No.2 and consequently directing the Respondent Nos.1 and 2 to restore the selection grade awarded to the petitioner in the post of Store Custodian Grade I with effect from 05.11.2023 and the consequential pay fixation in the post of Store Supervisor with effect from 21.10.2024 with all consequential benefits.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the
impugned proceedings were issued without affording any opportunity to the petitioner, though they adversely affect his service benefits, and are therefore liable to be set aside as being in gross violation of the principles of natural justice.
4. When this Writ Petition came up for hearing on 29.06.2026, this
Court took note of the said contention and observed that, if the respondents had afforded an opportunity to the petitioner before issuing the impugned proceedings, the petitioner would have been in a position to place his explanation and relevant materials, so as to enable the respondents to consider the matter in its proper perspective before passing the impugned order.
5. Mr.B.Ramanathan, learned counsel appearing for the respondents, on instructions, fairly submitted that the impugned proceedings had been issued without affording any opportunity to the petitioner.
6. In the light of the above submission, this Court is of the view
that the impugned proceedings cannot be sustained for want of compliance with the principles of natural justice. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the impugned order in Letter No.9442/A16/A161/2025-1, dated 27.04.2026 on the file of the Respondent No.1 and the consequential impugned order in No.
13.05.2026 on the file of Respondent No.2, is set aside solely on the ground of violation of the principles of natural justice, and the matter is remanded to the Respondent No.1 for fresh consideration. The Respondent No.1 shall pass appropriate orders, after affording due opportunity to the petitioner, in accordance with law.
7. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of. It is made clear that the petitioner shall be entitled to draw the pay and allowances that he was drawing prior to the issuance of the impugned
proceedings, until fresh orders are passed by the Respondent No.1. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 01.07.2026 Index :Yes / No Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No Nsr To: 1.The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Secretariat Branch, N.P.K.R.R.Maaligai, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. 2.The Superintending Engineer, General Construction Circle, K.Pudur, Madurai - 625 007.
MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J.
Nsr
Order made in
01.07.2026