WP/43212/2026 of A.SELLADURAI Vs The Secretary to Government on 29 October 2026

ORDER

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.A.R.Suresh learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents.

WP No. 43212 of 2026

2. The case of the petitioner is that he was appointed as Junior Assistant in the Government Museums Department through TNPSC in the year 2013 and his services were reguarlized with effect from 28.05.2014 and thereafter, he was promoted to the post of Assistant on 07.08.2019 and also became eligible for consideration of his case for promotion to the post of Superintendent. In the provisional panel that was prepared for promotion to the post of Superintendent for the year 2023 – 2024, the name of the petitioner was placed at Serial No.7 and the name of one P.Latchumamma was placed at Serial No.4. The said P.Latchumamma was promoted to the post of Superintendent through proceedings dated 28.12.2023.

3. It was thereafter, the petitioner appears to have raised an objection to the promotion of the said P.Latchumamma on the ground that she did not possess the requisite qualification for being promoted to the post of Superintendent and accordingly, submitted representations dated 13.08.2025, 16.08.2025 and 19.12.2025, requesting verification of the qualifications of the said P.Latchumamma. It is on considering the said representations, the 1st respondent, through Letter No.12674938/AC-1/2025, dated 14.08.2026, directed the 2nd respondent herein to look into the matter. Despite the same, according to the learned counsel for the petitioner, the 2nd respondent has not taken any action pursuant to the said letter dated 14.08.2026. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ petition seeking

WP No. 43212 of 2026

appropriate direction to the 2nd respondent to take action pursuant to the letter dated 14.08.2026 of the 1st respondent.

4. Mr.A.R.Suresh, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, fairly submits that, in the light of the letter dated 14.08.2026 issued by the 1st respondent, the 2nd respondent has to verify as to whether the said P.Latchumamma possesses all the requisite qualifications for being promoted to the post of Superintendent or not. However, while undertaking such an exercise, the 2nd respondent has to put the said P.Latchumamma on notice, as the said P.Latchumamma has not been impleaded as a party respondent to the present writ petition.

5. This Court, having taken note of the rival contentions, is of the considered view that there is no necessity for this Court to go into the merit of the matter at this stage, as it is for the 2nd respondent to look into the matter pursuant to the said letter dated 14.08.2026.

6. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of directing the 2nd respondent to take appropriate action in the light of the letter No.12674938/Ac-1/2025 dated 14.08.2026 issued by the 1st respondent and pass appropriate orders thereon, by duly putting the petitioner as well as the said P.Latchumamma on notice, and pass appropriate orders thereon as expeditiously

WP No. 43212 of 2026

as possible, at any rate within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed. 29-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No dpa To

1. The Secretary to Government Tourism, culture and Religious Endowments Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009

2. The Director of Museums Government Museum Egmore, Chennai-600 008

WP No. 43212 of 2026

MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J. dpa WP No. 43212 of 2026 29-10-2026