Agricultural Production Commissioner v. S.Esakkimuthu
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court Division Bench (R. Suresh Kumar, J. authoring; A.D. Maria Clete, J.) dismisses State Agriculture Department's writ appeal (W.A.No.1075 of 2023, decided 25.03.2025) under Clause 15 Letters Patent against order dated 22.07.2021 in W.P.No.31885 of 2018 quashing G.O.(3D)No.97 dated 30.07.2018 imposing compulsory retirement on S. Esakkimuthu. Key terms: Rule 17B Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1955; DVAC vigilance enquiry evidence; unconcluded enquiry; no cross-examination; violation of natural justice; hostile prosecution witnesses (only 2 of 32 examined); departmental enquiry must rely on evidence adduced before it; preponderance of probability; Central Bank of India Ltd. v. V. Prakash Chand Jain AIR 1969 SC 983; K.Ramalingam v. Superintendent of Police, Perambalur 2009 (7) MLJ 578; C.M.P.No.10912 of 2023 closed.
What did the court decide?
Writ appeal dismissed; impugned order dated 22.07.2021 in W.P.No.31885 of 2018 (setting aside G.O.(3D)No.97, Agriculture (AA8) Department dated 30.07.2018 imposing compulsory retirement) sustained; no order as to costs; C.M.P.No.10912 of 2023 closed.