High Court · 2025

WP NO. 38376 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 03-01-2025CORAMTHE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE R. SURESH KUMARANDTHE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE C. SARAVANANWP NO. 38376 of 2024 ANDWMP NO. 41557 OF 2024 R.Sujatha,D/o.M.Raman, D.No. 138,Davisdale, Udhagamandalam -643 001, The Nilgiris District. PetitionerVs1. The District Judge, Disciplinary Authority, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District. 2. The Sub Judge Sub Court, Coonoor The Nilgiris District.3. The Judicial Magistrate Judicial Magistrate Court, Udhagamandalam.RespondentsPrayer:Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned Order passed by the 1st respondent in D.E.No.16/2023 dated 21.06.2024 and to quash the same and to grant all consequential service and monetary benefits.For Petitioner : Mr.T.SellapandianFor Respondents: Mr.P.M.Subramaniam and Ms.N.K.Kanthimathi For RR 1 To 31/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 ORDER(Order of the Court was made by R.Suresh Kumar J.)This writ petition has been filed seeking for a prayer of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the first respondent in D.E.No.16/2023 dated 21.06.2024, to quash the same and to grant all consequential service and monetary benefits.2. The writ petitioner was working as a Head Clerk at Judicial Magistrate Court, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris during the time of occurrence of the alleged incident on 25.04.2023, pursuant to which a charge memo has been issued, where the following two charges have been framed against her.Fiw Twy; mwpf;if 1jpUkjp/,uh/R$hjh. jiyik vGj;jh;. rhh;g[ ePjpkd;wk;. TlY}u;. khw;Wg;gzp jiyik vGj;jh;. khtl;l Fw;wtpay; ePjpkd;wk;. cjfkz;lyk;. jw;nghJ khw;Wg;gzp jiyik vGj;jh;. khtl;l chpikapay; kw;Wk; Fw;wtpay; eLth; ePjpkd;wk;. nfhj;jfphp Mfpa ePh; fle;j 25/04/2023 njjpad;W cjfkz;lyk; ePjpj;jiw eLth; ePjpkd;wj;jpy; jiyik vGj;juhf gzpapy; ,Ue;j rkak; jpU/re;jpud; vd;gth; j';fis mqfp tHf;F nfhg;g[ jftiy nfl;Ls;sjhft[k; 2/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 nkYk; mtUila miyngrp vz;iz bfhLj;Jk; tHf;F gw;wpa jfty;fis bjhptpf;Fk;goa[k; nfl;Lk; brd;Ws;shh;/ gpd;dh; 27/04/2023k; njjp jh';fs; ePjpkd;w ntiyapy; jiyik vGj;juhf ,Ue;j nghJ mth; kPz;Lk; tHf;F gw;wpa tptu';fis nfl;lnghJ jh';fns tHf;F nfhg;gpid bfhLj;Jk; ePjpj;jiw eLth; mth;fspd; ftdj;jpw;F bfhz;L bry;yhkYk; bfhLj;Js;sPh;fs;/Fiw Twy; mwpf;if 2jpUkjp/,uh/R$hjh. jiyik vGj;jh;. rhh;g[ ePjpkd;wk;. TlY}u;. khw;Wg;gzp jiyik vGj;jh;. khtl;l Fw;wtpay; ePjpkd;wk;. cjfkz;lyk;. jw;nghJ khw;Wg;gzp jiyik vGj;jh;. khtl;l chpikapay; kw;Wk; Fw;wtpay; eLth; ePjpkd;wk;. nfhj;jfphp Mfpa ePh; fle;j 27/05/2023 efy; tpz;zg;gj;jpid neuoahf jpwe;j ePjpkd;wj;jpy; ePjpj;jiw eLth; mth;fsplk; bfhLj;J jhd; ifbaGj;J bgw ntz;Lk; Mdhy; jh';fns bgw;W eLthplk; ifbaGj;J bgw;W tUk;go mYtyf cjtpahshplk; bfhLj;Js;sPh;fs;/nkw;fz;l ckJ bray;fshdJ ckJ muRg;gzpapy; <Lghlw;w jd;iknahL (Lethargic Attitude) ,Ue;Jk; jiyik vGj;jh; vd;w gzpf;F cz;lhd bghWg;g[ kw;Wk; flikapypUe;Jk; jtwpa[k; (Dereliction of Responsibility and Duty) bfhLj;Js;sPh;/3. The charges have been framed and explanation was called for. The writ petitioner had given explanation. Not satisfied with the same, enquiry officer was appointed and enquiry was conducted, where Charge No.2 was not proved and 3/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 according to the enquiry officer, Charge No.1 was proved. Based on such proven charge, the District Judge, Nilgiris being the disciplinary authority, has imposed the punishment of stoppage of increment for one year without cumulative effect by order dated 21.06.2024, which is impugned herein.4. Heard Mr.T.Sellapandian, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.P.M.Subramaniam, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents.5. Insofar as the first charge is concerned, which according to the enquiry officer has been proved, the following explanation had been given by the delinquent / writ petitioner.“gpwF Grade-III Bench Clerk jpU/fhe;jp kw;Wk; ,sepiy cjtpahsh; jpU/ re;njh&; Mfpnahhplk; ,e;j tHf;F Fwpj;J 17/04/2023k; njjpapd; bray;Kiwfs; e-court tiyjsk; kw;Wk; md;iwa ePjpkd;w Dairy Mfpatw;wpy; Vd; gjpt[ bra;ag;gltpy;iy vdf; nfl;L cldoahf ,g;gzpfis Kof;FkhW Twpndd;/ ,e;j jftiy khz;g[kpF Fw;wtpay; ePjpj;Jiw eLth; mth;fspd; ftdj;jpw;Fk; bfhz;L te;jpUe;njd;/ jh';fSk; tHf;F tpguj;ij cldoahf e-court tiyjsj;jpy; gjptpl;L Dairy-apYk; gjpt[ bra;a[khW Bench Clerk-,lk; mwpt[iu tH';fpdPh;fs;/ 25/04/2023 md;W tHf;fpd; g[fhh;jhuUf;F ve;jtpj jftYk; ehd; bjhptpf;ftpy;iy/mjdhy; jhd; g[fhh;jhuh; 27/04/2023 md;W kPz;Lk; 4/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 mYtyfj;jpw;F te;J C.C.No.23/2023 tHf;fpd; tpguk; e-court tiyjsj;jpy; gjpt[ bra;ag;gltpy;iy vdt[k;. nkYk; ve;j jftYk; jdJ mobile phone-y; cs;s e-court app-y; bjhpatpy;iy vdt[k; md;iwa njjpapy; tHf;F eilKiw vd;dbtd;W bjhpahjjhy; nkw;bfhz;L mLj;J ve;j njjpapy; tuntz;Lbkd;W mwpahky; jhd; ghjpf;fg;gLtjhft[k; vd;dplk; kPz;Lk; te;J bjhptpj;jhh;/ me;j neuj;jpy; jpwe;j ePjpkd;wj;jpy; tHf;F ele;J bfhz;oUe;jjhy;. rk;ge;jg;gl;l Bench Clerk-,lk; mYtyf cjtpahsh; jpUkjp r';fPjh vd;gth; K:yk; diary-I th';fp tu mDg;gpndd;/Dairy-I ghh;j;jjpy; 27/04/2023 ehs; tiuapYk; nkw;Fwpj;j tHf;F Fwpj;J 17/04/2023 njjpf;fhd Dairy vGjg;glhky; ,Ue;jJ/ vdnt. jiyik vGj;jh; vd;w Kiwapy; tHf;F nfhg;g[ vd;dthapw;W vd tprhhpf;ifapy; Examiner (efy; ghpnrhjfh;) tHf;F nfhg;g[ vd;dthapw;W vd tprhhpf;ifapy; efy; vLg;gjw;F ,Ue;jJ vd bjhptpj;jhh;/ me;j tHf;F nfhg;ig mthplkpUe;J th';fp ghh;j;jjpy; fle;j 17/04/2023 md;nw Kotile;jJ vd bjhpa te;jJ/ g[fhh;jhuh; xU Senior Citizen vd;gij fUj;jpy; bfhz;L tHf;F tpguk; mwpa ,uz;L Kiw mYtyfk; te;Js;shh; vd;gjhYk; e-court tiyjsj;jpy; tHf;fpd; tpguk; gjptplhj fhuzj;jhYk; Diary-apYk; tHf;F tpguk; vGjg;glhj fhuzj;jpdhYk; g[fhh;jhuiu miyfHpf;ff;TlhJ vd;w ey;byz;zj;jpYk; tHf;F Koe;J tpl;lJ vd;w jftiy kl;Lk g[fhh;jhuhplk; bjhptpj;njd;/ g[fhh;jhuh; nfhg;ig ghh;itapl nfl;lnghJ tHf;F nfhg;ig ghh;f;f KoahJ vdt[k; efy; kD nghl;L Kot[ jd;ikia mwpe;Jf;bfhs;S';fs; vd g[fhh;jhuhplk; fuhuh bjhptpj;Jtpl;nld;/ tHf;F nfhg;ig g[fhh;jhuhplk; fhl;lt[k; 5/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 ,y;iy. bfhLf;ft[k; ,y;iybad cWjpa[ld; bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;fpnwd;/ ehd; ve;j N:H;epiyapYk; Fwpg;gpl;l egUf;F ve;j tpjj;jpYk; bjhlh;g[ bfhz;L ve;j jftiya[k; bjhptpf;ftpy;iy/ mjw;fhd mtrpak; vdf;fpy;iy vd;W bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;fpnwd;/nkYk;. e-court tiyjsj;jpy; 17/04/2023 njjpapd; tHf;fpd; eltof;ifia gjptpl;L Dairy vLf;fg;gl;L ,Ue;jpUe;jhy; g[fhh;jhuh; tHf;fpd; epiy mwpa ePjpkd;wk; te;jpUf;f ntz;oa N:H;epiy ,Ue;jpUf;fhJ e-court tiyjsj;jpy; mth; tHf;fpd; tpguj;ij Bench fpsh;f; ,lk; fle;j 25/04/2023 md;nw mwpt[Wj;jpa[k; j';fSila nkyhd ghh;itf;F vLj;J te;Jk; 27/04/2023 ehsJ tiuapy; Fwpg;gpl;l tHf;fhf C.C.No.23/2021 tHf;fpd; tptuk; chpa tiyjsj;jpw;F kw;Wk; gjpntl;oYk; gjpt[ bra;ag;gltpy;iy vd;gij gzpt[ld; bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;fpnwd;/nkYk;. ePjpkd;w gzpfis nkw;ghh;it bra;tJk;. ePjpkd;wj;jpy; cs;s vy;yh gphpt[fspYk; VnjDk; FiwghLfs; ,Ue;jhy; mij chpa gphpt[ mYtyhplk; vLj;Jf; Twp epth;j;jp bra;J ePjpkd;w md;whl gzpfspy; Rzf;fk; Vw;glhky; bra;tJk; jiyik vGj;jh; vd;w Kiwapy; vdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[ MFk;/ vdnt. vd; kPJ Rkj;jg;gl;l ,e;j Fw;wr;rhl;il jpl;ltl;lkhf kWf;fpnwd;/ ehd; vdJ bghWg;gpypUe;J ve;j N:H;epiyapYk; jtwtpy;iy vd;gij bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;fpnwd;/”6. On a perusal of this explanation, it is seen that though the case was over on 17.04.2023, the 'A' Diary has not been recorded. Therefore, the litigant could not 6/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 get the result of his case. He approached the delinquent Head Clerk two times and after verifying the 'A' diary, where no entry has been made, she called for the bundle and after verifying the bundle, she came to know that the case was over on 17.04.2023, which alone ie., the disposal of the case on 17.04.2023 alone was revealed to the litigant. This kind of information normally would be revealed by the Court Officer in-charge of the Court concerned orally. 7. Though it was the charge of the employer that the case bundle has been handed over to the litigant, which is in violation of the Code of Conduct Rules, and therefore the first charge had been framed against the delinquent / writ petitioner, absolutely no evidence has been placed to establish that the case bundle has been given to the litigant, except the information of the disposal of the case, which was made on 17.04.2023, which is the minimum information normally in a court proceedings, the Court Officer would give to the counsel / litigant, who appears party-in-person, in case there is no information available in the 'A' diary.8. Therefore, even the first charge has not been proved as the case bundle seems to have not been handed over to the litigant, who asked for such an information and in fact the delinquent had asked the litigant to file a copy application to get further information. Therefore, it cannot be stated that the first charge has also been proved, for which the delinquent/writ petitioner is liable to be punished, as 7/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 has now been punished through the impugned order dated 21.06.2024.9. Though Mr.P.M.Subramaniam, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents has made an attempt to justify the order of punishment passed by the disciplinary authority through the impugned order dated 21.06.2024, we, after having perused the relevant documents, which have been filed in the typed set of papers before the Court, is of the considered view, that the first charge has not been proved and therefore the punishment is certainly unwarranted. In that view of the matter, we are inclined to pass the following order:●The impugned order dated 21.06.2024 is set aside.●Resultantly, the writ petitioner is entitled to get all service benefits available to her under the relevant service regulations.10. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (R.SURESH KUMAR J.) (C.SARAVANAN J.) 03-01-2025Index : Yes/NoNCS : Yes/NoKST8/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 To1. The District Judge, Disciplinary Authority, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District. 2. The Sub Judge Sub Court, Coonoor The Nilgiris District.3. The Judicial Magistrate Judicial Magistrate Court, Udhagamandalam.9/10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP NO. 38376 of 2024 R.SURESH KUMAR, J.ANDC.SARAVANAN, J.KSTW.P.No.38376 of 202403.01.202510/10