High Court · 2025

W.P.No.31774 of 2025IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDated : 26.08.2025 CORAMTHE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHAW.P.No. 31774 of 2025&W.M.P.Nos. 35578 & 35579 of 2025T.Revathi ...PetitionerVs.1.The Inspector General of Police, Tamilnadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Panthenon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.2.The ChairmanSub Committee TN Uniformed Service Recruitment Board Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 ...Respondents1/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for records of the 1st respondent in his impugned order in C No. L1/7355/2020 dated 22.11.2021 confirming the disqualification made by the 1st respondent in C.No. R2/860/2019 dated 19.10.2020 and quash the same and award marks for one stars to the petitioner in the running event of 100 Meters and further direct the respondents to call the petitioner certificate verification and viva-voce for appointment to the post of Sub Inspector for the year 2019. For Petitioner:Ms. R.Rayeesh RathimaFor Respondent 1 :Mr. V.JeevgiridharanAdditional Government PleaderFor Respondent 2:M/s. Sowmi DattanStanding Counsel O R D E R2/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025The Writ Petition is filed for the following relief:“call for records of the 1st respondent in his impugned order in C No. L1/7355/2020 dated 22.11.2021 confirming the disqualification made by the 1st respondent in C.No. R2/860/2019 dated 19.10.2020 and quash the same and award marks for one stars to the petitioner in the running event of 100 Meters and further direct the respondents to call the petitioner certificate verification and viva-voce for appointment to the post of Sub Inspector for the year 2019”.2. The petitioner seeks to quash the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent in his proceedings in C No. L1/7355/2020 dated 22.11.2021 in and by which the 1st respondent had confirmed the disqualification made by the 1st respondent in C.No. R2/860/2019 dated 19.10.2020 and award marks for one stars to the petitioner in running and direct the respondents to call the petitioner for certificate 3/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025verification for appointment to the post of Sub Inspector. The brief facts are as follows.3. The petitioner had applied for the appointment to the post of Sub Inspector (Taluk, AR AND TSP) for the year 2019. She had successfully cleared the written examination. Thereafter, a Physical Efficiency Test was conducted on 19.10.2020, which included 100 meters running. 4. The petitioner would submit that on the date when the candidates had taken the running test the track was stagnated with rain water as there was heavy rain and the track was slippery. It is her contention that the SDAT coach who was the time keeper was busy protecting the coding sheets from getting wet and therefore an armed reserve Constable was directed to use the digital timer. 5. The petitioner would submit that the time keeper had long 4/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025pressed the digital timer and as the stop button was not released immediately the seconds kept running even after the candidates have reached the stop line. It is her contention that she had completed 100 meters sprint within 17 seconds. However, the petitioner was disqualified on the ground that she had completed 100 meters in 17.69 seconds, which fell short of the requisite time. 6. The petitioner would submit that immediately she had requested the authorities to review the footage of the run. However, she was permitted to review the video only after the consent for disqualification was given. She would submit that by reviewing the footage she came to learn that the running time started at 5 second and finished in 21 seconds. Therefore, taking into the discrepancies the petitioner would submit that she had clocked in 17 seconds even as per the footage recording. Therefore, the petitioner had filed WP.No.19388 of 2020 challenging the order of disqualification. 7. The 1st respondent had filed a counter and contested the matter. 5/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 20258. Similar Writ Petitions were also filed and by common order dated 03.08.2021, this Court directed the Inspector General of Police (Uniformed Services Recruitment Board) to constitute special committee along with technically qualified officer from Tamilnadu Sports Development Authority to review the video footage and given a final report to the respondents. On the basis of this final report the final decision would be taken by the respondents to decide as to whether the petitioner had qualified in the physical endurance test or not. The said exercise was directed to be carried out within 15 days from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. It was made clear that in case the petitioner qualify in the physical endurance test, the respondent should direct the petitioner to report for the next stage of recruitment. 9. The petitioner would submit that pursuant to the common order the Special Committee had viewed the video and had passed the impugned order dated 21.11.2021, contending that on viewing the footage, it was seen that the petitioner had clocked 17.69 seconds. 6/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025These orders were forwarded to all the five petitioners, who had filed Writ Petitions. 10. One Arthy and Priyadharshini, candidates aggrieved by the said order had challenged the said order by filing WP.Nos.27278 of 2021 and 4682 of 2022. The learned Judge after hearing the parties held that the impugned order passed by the Special Committee for viewing the video footage did not specify the method that was followed by the Special Committee. 11. The learned Judge would submit that from viewing the video graphs placed before the Court it appears that they had completed running within 17 seconds. Therefore, the Special Committee's report that they had clocked in 17.69 seconds is without any basis. The learned Judge thereafter allowed the Writ Petition by setting aside the impugned orders. 12. The petitioner herein is a similarly placed candidate and is 7/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025therefore entitled to the benefits of the directions issued in W.P.No.27278 of 2021 and 4682 of 2022. 13. Therefore, the following directions are issued:(i)The respondents are directed to forward the original video recording of the running test performed by the petitioner to the Director, Department of Physical Education & Sports, University of Madras, Bharathiyar Campus, No.85/86, Spurtank Road, Chetpet, Chennai – 600 031, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and in turn, Director, Physical Education is requested to examine the matter by himself or by placing before appropriate authority for the purpose of assessing the performance of the petitioner i.e., the time within which the petitioner has completed the 100 meters running test, and submit a report to the respondents within a further period of two weeks;(ii)On receipt of the said report, the respondents 8/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025shall act upon the same. In case, if the petitioners are found to have completed the running test within 17.50 seconds, the respondents shall consider the case of the petitioners for further recruitment process and thereafter, pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the report.”14. The Writ Petition is allowed with the following directions. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. 26.08.2025 Index: Yes/NoInternet: Yes/NokanTo9/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 20251.The Inspector General of Police, Tamilnadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Panthenon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.2.The ChairmanSub Committee TN Uniformed Service Recruitment Board Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 P.T. ASHA, J kan10/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025W.P.No. 31774 of 202526.08.202511/11

W.P.No.31774 of 2025IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDated : 26.08.2025 CORAMTHE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHAW.P.No. 31774 of 2025&W.M.P.Nos. 35578 & 35579 of 2025T.Revathi ...PetitionerVs.1.The Inspector General of Police, Tamilnadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Panthenon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.2.The ChairmanSub Committee TN Uniformed Service Recruitment Board Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 ...Respondents1/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for records of the 1st respondent in his impugned order in C No. L1/7355/2020 dated 22.11.2021 confirming the disqualification made by the 1st respondent in C.No. R2/860/2019 dated 19.10.2020 and quash the same and award marks for one stars to the petitioner in the running event of 100 Meters and further direct the respondents to call the petitioner certificate verification and viva-voce for appointment to the post of Sub Inspector for the year 2019. For Petitioner:Ms. R.Rayeesh RathimaFor Respondent 1 :Mr. V.JeevgiridharanAdditional Government PleaderFor Respondent 2:M/s. Sowmi DattanStanding Counsel O R D E R2/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025The Writ Petition is filed for the following relief:“call for records of the 1st respondent in his impugned order in C No. L1/7355/2020 dated 22.11.2021 confirming the disqualification made by the 1st respondent in C.No. R2/860/2019 dated 19.10.2020 and quash the same and award marks for one stars to the petitioner in the running event of 100 Meters and further direct the respondents to call the petitioner certificate verification and viva-voce for appointment to the post of Sub Inspector for the year 2019”.2. The petitioner seeks to quash the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent in his proceedings in C No. L1/7355/2020 dated 22.11.2021 in and by which the 1st respondent had confirmed the disqualification made by the 1st respondent in C.No. R2/860/2019 dated 19.10.2020 and award marks for one stars to the petitioner in running and direct the respondents to call the petitioner for certificate 3/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025verification for appointment to the post of Sub Inspector. The brief facts are as follows.3. The petitioner had applied for the appointment to the post of Sub Inspector (Taluk, AR AND TSP) for the year 2019. She had successfully cleared the written examination. Thereafter, a Physical Efficiency Test was conducted on 19.10.2020, which included 100 meters running. 4. The petitioner would submit that on the date when the candidates had taken the running test the track was stagnated with rain water as there was heavy rain and the track was slippery. It is her contention that the SDAT coach who was the time keeper was busy protecting the coding sheets from getting wet and therefore an armed reserve Constable was directed to use the digital timer. 5. The petitioner would submit that the time keeper had long 4/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025pressed the digital timer and as the stop button was not released immediately the seconds kept running even after the candidates have reached the stop line. It is her contention that she had completed 100 meters sprint within 17 seconds. However, the petitioner was disqualified on the ground that she had completed 100 meters in 17.69 seconds, which fell short of the requisite time. 6. The petitioner would submit that immediately she had requested the authorities to review the footage of the run. However, she was permitted to review the video only after the consent for disqualification was given. She would submit that by reviewing the footage she came to learn that the running time started at 5 second and finished in 21 seconds. Therefore, taking into the discrepancies the petitioner would submit that she had clocked in 17 seconds even as per the footage recording. Therefore, the petitioner had filed WP.No.19388 of 2020 challenging the order of disqualification. 7. The 1st respondent had filed a counter and contested the matter. 5/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 20258. Similar Writ Petitions were also filed and by common order dated 03.08.2021, this Court directed the Inspector General of Police (Uniformed Services Recruitment Board) to constitute special committee along with technically qualified officer from Tamilnadu Sports Development Authority to review the video footage and given a final report to the respondents. On the basis of this final report the final decision would be taken by the respondents to decide as to whether the petitioner had qualified in the physical endurance test or not. The said exercise was directed to be carried out within 15 days from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. It was made clear that in case the petitioner qualify in the physical endurance test, the respondent should direct the petitioner to report for the next stage of recruitment. 9. The petitioner would submit that pursuant to the common order the Special Committee had viewed the video and had passed the impugned order dated 21.11.2021, contending that on viewing the footage, it was seen that the petitioner had clocked 17.69 seconds. 6/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025These orders were forwarded to all the five petitioners, who had filed Writ Petitions. 10. One Arthy and Priyadharshini, candidates aggrieved by the said order had challenged the said order by filing WP.Nos.27278 of 2021 and 4682 of 2022. The learned Judge after hearing the parties held that the impugned order passed by the Special Committee for viewing the video footage did not specify the method that was followed by the Special Committee. 11. The learned Judge would submit that from viewing the video graphs placed before the Court it appears that they had completed running within 17 seconds. Therefore, the Special Committee's report that they had clocked in 17.69 seconds is without any basis. The learned Judge thereafter allowed the Writ Petition by setting aside the impugned orders. 12. The petitioner herein is a similarly placed candidate and is 7/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025therefore entitled to the benefits of the directions issued in W.P.No.27278 of 2021 and 4682 of 2022. 13. Therefore, the following directions are issued:(i)The respondents are directed to forward the original video recording of the running test performed by the petitioner to the Director, Department of Physical Education & Sports, University of Madras, Bharathiyar Campus, No.85/86, Spurtank Road, Chetpet, Chennai – 600 031, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and in turn, Director, Physical Education is requested to examine the matter by himself or by placing before appropriate authority for the purpose of assessing the performance of the petitioner i.e., the time within which the petitioner has completed the 100 meters running test, and submit a report to the respondents within a further period of two weeks;(ii)On receipt of the said report, the respondents 8/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025shall act upon the same. In case, if the petitioners are found to have completed the running test within 17.50 seconds, the respondents shall consider the case of the petitioners for further recruitment process and thereafter, pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the report.”14. The Writ Petition is allowed with the following directions. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. 26.08.2025 Index: Yes/NoInternet: Yes/NokanTo9/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 20251.The Inspector General of Police, Tamilnadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Panthenon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.2.The ChairmanSub Committee TN Uniformed Service Recruitment Board Old Commissioner of Police Campus, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 P.T. ASHA, J kan10/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.31774 of 2025W.P.No. 31774 of 202526.08.202511/11