Madras High Court
WP/5307/2021 of Mr. L.Joseph Lathis Vs The Union Territory of Puducherry on 30 September 2026
WP No. 5307 of 2021
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30-09-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE T. VINOD KUMAR
WP No. 5307 of 2021
and
WMP Nos. 5870 & 5873 of 2021
CNR: {HCMA010307092021}
Mr. L. Joseph Lathis
St. Anns Government Aided High School,
Cathedral Street,
Puducherry 605 001.
..Petitioner
Vs
1. The Union Territory of Puducherry
by its Secretary,
Department of Education,
Secretariat,
Puducherry 605 001
2. The Director of School Education
Government of Puducherry,
Directorate of School Education,
Puducherry 605 005
3. The Senior Accounts Officer,
Government of Puducherry,
Directorate of School Education,
Puducherry 605 005
4. The Joint- Director of School Education Government of Puducherry, Directorate of School Education, Puducherry 605 005
WP No. 5307 of 2021
5. The Correspondent / Manager
St. Anns Government Aided High School,
Cathedral Street, Puducherry 605 001
..Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the proceedings dated 23.08.2018 in No. 12618/ DSE/ GIAS. U.III/ 2018 - 19, on the file of the 2nd respondent and quash the same, directing the respondents to accord approval in respect of the petitioner Mr.L.Joseph Lathis, working as a Drawing Teacher in the sanctioned post, in 5th respondent, St. Anns Government Aided High School, Cathedral Street, Puducherry 605 001, w.e.f. 21.08.2006, with all service and monetary benefits.
For Petitioner :
Mr. Father Xavier Arulraj, Senior Counsel, for M/s. Father Xavier Associates.
For Respondents :
Mr. Syed Mustfa, (for R1 to R4)
Special Government Pleader, Puducherry
No Appearance – for R5
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ORDER
Heard the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader, appearing for the respondents 1 to 4.
WP No. 5307 of 2021
2. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the issue involved in the present Writ Petition is no longer res-integra, in view of the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.2842 of 2018 and etc., batch decided at 30th April, 2024.
3. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the aforesaid decision of the Hon’ble Division Bench was followed by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.Nos.11010 & 11012 of 2014 by the order dated 18.11.2025, and that the said order was subsequently followed by this Court in W.P.Nos.12943 to 12948 of 2015, which were disposed of by this Court vide common order dated 11.06.2026.
4. The learned Senior Counsel further submitted that the aforesaid orders squarely cover the issue involved in the present Writ Petition.
5. The aforesaid submissions made by the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner are not disputed by the learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents 1 to 4.
6. Having regard to the aforesaid submission and, taking note of the fact that the Division Bench of this Court having decided a similar issue; and that a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court having followed the said order vide its
WP No. 5307 of 2021
order dated 18.11.2025 in W.P.Nos.11010 & 11012 of 2014, and that the said order of Co-ordinate Bench subsequently having followed by this Court vide common order dated 11.06.2026. This Court is of the view that in order to maintain parity and to maintain judicial discipline, the said orders need to be followed in W.P.Nos.12943 to 12948 of 2015, and for the reasons alike as stated.
7. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the order dated 18.11.2025 in W.P.Nos.12943 to 12948 of 2015.
8. The Registry is directed to append the copy of the order dated 18.11.2025 in W.P.Nos.11010 & 11012 of 2014 to this order.
9. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed. 30-09-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No KLT
WP No. 5307 of 2021
To
1. The Secretary, Union Territory of Puducherry, Department of Education, Secretariat, Puducherry 605 001
2. The Director of School Education, Government of Puducherry, Directorate of School Education, Puducherry 605 005
3. The Senior Accounts Officer, Government of Puducherry, Directorate of School Education, Puducherry 605 005
4. The Joint- Director of School Education Government of Puducherry, Directorate of School Education, Puducherry 605 005
5. The Correspondent / Manager
Cathedral Street, Puducherry 605 001
WP No. 5307 of 2021
T.VINOD KUMAR, J. KLT WP No. 5307 of 2021 and WMP Nos. 5870 & 5873 of 2021 30-09-2026