Madras High Court
A.Antony Raj vs The Chief Educational Officer on 2 February, 2026
Author: B.Pugalendhi
Bench: B.Pugalendhi
W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 02.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI
W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024 and
WMP(MD) Nos.18043, 18044 & 20519 of 2024
A.Antony Raj ... Petitioner
Vs
1.The Chief Educational Officer,
Pudukkottai District.
2.The District Educational Officer (Primary),
Pudukkottai,
Pudukkottai District.
3.The Block Educational Office,
R-I, Annavasal Block,
Pudukkottai District.
4.The Block Development Office,
R-III, Annavasal Block,
Pudukkottai District.
5.S.Alexandar,
The Block Educational Officer-I,
Annavasal Block,
Pudukkottai District.
1/6
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 05/02/2026 12:09:32 pm )
W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024
6. A.Celine,
The Block Educational Officer – III,
Annavasal Block,
Pudukkottai District. ...Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution
of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, to call for
the records pertaining to the impugned order in Na.Ka.No.
2551/A4/2024 dated 24.08.2024 on the file of the second respondent
and quash the same as illegal.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel for
Mr.Aswin Raja Simman
For R1 to R4 : Mr.R.Baskaran
Additional Advocate General
Assisted by
Mr.T.Amjad Khan
Government Advocate
ORDER
The petitioner/ a Headmaster of Panchayat Union Primary School, Annavasal Block, Pudukkottai has been placed under suspension by the order impugned in this writ petition.
2.The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that for having raised objections with regard to 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 05/02/2026 12:09:32 pm ) W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024 storage of the freebies in class rooms of the School, where the petitioner is working, he has been placed under suspension. The learned senior Counsel has also drawn the attention of this Court to the reference No.2 of the impugned order and submits that this order of suspension has been passed pursuant to a communication of a political leader.
3.This Court, while entertaining this writ petition has also granted on order of interim stay to the suspension order, by order dated 09.09.2024 and it was extended subsequently. Pursuant to the interim order granted by this Court, the petitioner was reinstated into service. The respondents have filed an application to vacate the interim order and therefore this writ petition is taken up for hearing.
4.The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 submits that pursuant to the interim order granted by this Court, this petitioner has been reinstated into service, 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 05/02/2026 12:09:32 pm ) W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024 transferred to Mettupatti and he has also been issued with a charge memo. According to the learned Additional Advocate General, he has not challenged the order of transfer and the Charge memo. Since some disciplinary proceedings has already been initiated and the petitioner has also been transferred, the learned Additional Advocate General, on instructions submits that they are not pressing on the order of suspension.
5.Recording the aforesaid submissions made by the learned Additional Advocate General that they are not pressing on the order of suspension in view of the subsequent developments and considering the fact that this writ petition has been filed challenging the order of suspension, this writ petition is closed. No costs.
Consequently, connected Miscellaneous petitions are also closed.
02.02.2026 Index:Yes Internet:Yes vrn 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 05/02/2026 12:09:32 pm ) W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024 To
1.The Chief Educational Officer, Pudukkottai District.
2.The District Educational Officer (Primary), Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.
3.The Block Educational Office, R-I, Annavasal Block, Pudukkottai District.
4.The Block Development Office, R-III, Annavasal Block, Pudukkottai District.
5/6https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 05/02/2026 12:09:32 pm ) W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024 B.PUGALENDHI, J.
vrn Order made in W.P(MD)No.21313 of 2024 and WMP(MD) Nos.18043, 18044 & 20519 of 2024 02.02.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 05/02/2026 12:09:32 pm )