Madras High Court
WP/8397/2022 of S.Viswanathan Vs The state of Tamil Nadu on 7 October 2026
WP No. 8397 of 2022
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN
WP No. 8397 of 2022
CNR:{HCMA010347982022}
AND
WMP NO. 8347 OF 2022
S.Viswanathan
District Revenue Officer ( Retired),
Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalai District.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The state of Tamil Nadu
Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai.
2. The state of Tamil Nadu
Rep by its Secretary to Government, Public Department, Secretariat, Chennai.
3. The Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Revenue Administration, O/o. the Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Chepauk, Chennai- 5.
4. The District collector
Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.
..Respondent(s)
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to promote the petitioner nationally to the post of Deputy Tahsildar and monetary benefits on par with his immediate junior and by considering the Petitioners representation dated 19.03.2019, 14.11.2019 and 04.08.2021 within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
WP No. 8397 of 2022
For Petitioner:
Mr.Nambi Arooran for M/s.Ajmal Associates For Respondents:
Mr.S.Ilamvaludhi, SGP
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Order
The present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to promote the petitioner to the post of Deputy Tahsildar, with all consequential monetary benefits on par with his immediate junior, by considering the petitioner’s representations dated 19.03.2019, 14.11.2019 and 04.08.2021, within the time frame to be stipulated by this Court.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner was initially appointed as an Assistant on 16.10.1974. Prior to his appointment, he possessed the qualifications of M.A., B.L. and M.B.A. It is the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that, after completion of five years of service, the petitioner was entitled to promotion. However, no panel was drawn for promotion to the post of Deputy Tahsildar in the years 1982 and 1984, and ultimately, his name was included only in the panel prepared in the year 1985. In the meanwhile, some persons who were juniors to the petitioner were promoted. In this regard, a long-drawn legal battle ensued, and the Hon'ble Supreme Court also passed an order in C.A. Nos.251 to 256 of 2015 dated 12.03.2019.
WP No. 8397 of 2022
3. It is the contention of the petitioner that, though he retired in the year 2010, he is entitled to notional promotion on par with his immediate junior. In this regard, he has submitted a representation dated 03.08.2021, which was sent on 04.08.2021, to the Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department/1st respondent. However, the said representation has not been considered by the 1st respondent.
4. Per contra, the contention of the petitioner was objected to by the learned Special Government Pleader, who would contend that, when a similar request was made by one A. Subramanian, the same was rejected by this Court and that the ratio laid down in the said case is applicable to the petitioner. Therefore, the petitioner is not entitled to any relief. However, in all fairness, the learned Special Government Pleader would submit that, if reasonable time is granted, the petitioner's representation will be considered on its own merits and in accordance with law.
5. In view of the fair submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader, without going into the merits of the matter, this Court directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 03.08.2021, sent on 04.08.2021, on its own merits and in accordance with law, and pass appropriate orders within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
WP No. 8397 of 2022
6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. The connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 07-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No JRS To
1. The state of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai.
2. The state of Tamil Nadu Rep by its Secretary to Government, Public Department, Secretariat, Chennai.
3. The Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Revenue Administration, O/o. the Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Chepauk, chennai- 5.
4. The District collector Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.
WP No. 8397 of 2022
C.KUMARAPPAN J. JRS WP No. 8397 of 2022 AND WMP NO. 8347 OF 2022 07-10-2026