Madras High Court
S.Palaniappan vs The Secretary on 2 December, 2025
Author: G.Jayachandran
Bench: G. Jayachandran
W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 02.12.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN
W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025
and
C.M.P.(MD)No.19246 of 2025
S.Palaniappan ... Petitioner
Vs.
1.The Secretary,
Stationary and Printing Department,
Fort St.George,
Chennai-600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Stationary and Printing Department,
110, Anna Salai,
Chennai-600 002.
3.The Joint Director,
Stationary and Printing Department,
110, Anna Salai,
Chennai-600 002.
4.The Deputy Work Manager,
Government Branch Press,
Thuvakkudi,
Tiruchirappalli. ... Respondents
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W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025
PRAYER:- Writ Appeal – filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, to
set aside the order passed in W.P.(MD)No.27385 of 2025 dated
13.10.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.G.Thalaimutharasu
For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan
Special Government Pleader
JUDGMENT
(Judgment of the Court was delivered by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.) The appellant herein challenging the order of transfer dated 10.09.2025, filed W.P.(MD)No.27385 of 2025 for the following relief:
“Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records on the file of the 3rd respondent in connection with the impugned order of transfer passed by him vide his proceedings in Na.Ka. No.A1/5151/2025 dated 10.09.2025 and subsequent impugned relieving order passed by the 4th respondent in Se.Mu.Aanai No.A1/5151/2025 dated 17.09.2025 and quash the both as illegal, arbitrary and punitive in nature and thereby direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue his service as DTP Operator in the 4th respondent office.”
2.The learned Special Government Pleader, who represented the respondents, has submitted that the appellant has been in the fourth 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 03/12/2025 11:40:55 am ) W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025 respondent office for more than 15 years and was transferred on administrative ground and denied the allegation of the writ petitioner that the transfer was punitive in nature.
3.The learned Single Judge after considering the materials placed before the Court, the long tenure of the writ petitioner in the present place, the administrative exigency expressed by the respondent, which will have predominance in the matter of transfer and the contention of the writ petitioner that the transfer order is punitive in nature, dismissed the writ petition.
4.The learned counsel appearing for the appellant submitted that the appellant had put more than 30 years of unblemished service and only recently he was termed as low performer and the show cause notice was issued branding him as 'not subordinate to the officers'. Further more, he contended that the medical history of the petitioner, which requires to be considered, was not taken note of. The medical records regarding his treatment is enclosed in the typed set of papers. 3/6
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5.On considering the impugned order of transfer dated 10.09.2025 and the relieving order of transfer dated 17.09.2025, we find that the transfer of the appellant from Trichy to Pudukottai is on administrative reasons. Regarding the charges of low performance, disrespect to the Higher Officials and the show cause notice issued to the petitioner, are entirely different issues, which have no relevance to the transfer order of the petitioner.
6.Therefore, confirming the order passed by the learned Single Judge dismissing writ petition, we wish to add that the appellant herein may make a fresh representation after joining in new place for his re- transfer on health ground and that representation may be duly considered, if possible.
7.Accordingly, this writ appeal is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
[G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.]
02.12.2025
Index :Yes/No
Internet :Yes
ta
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W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025
To
1.The Secretary,
Stationary and Printing Department,
Fort St.George,
Chennai-600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Stationary and Printing Department,
110, Anna Salai,
Chennai-600 002.
3.The Joint Director,
Stationary and Printing Department,
110, Anna Salai,
Chennai-600 002.
4.The Deputy Work Manager,
Government Branch Press,
Thuvakkudi,
Tiruchirappalli.
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W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025
DR.G. JAYACHANDRAN, J.
AND
K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN, J.
ta
W.A.(MD)No.3172 of 2025
02.12.2025
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