The Chairman, Vs S.Manjari — Madras HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

The Chairman, Vs S.Manjari — Madras HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

No relief to TRB: all four writ appeals (W.A.(MD)Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023) dismissed without costs; connected CMPs closed. Directions: Kallar Reclamation School to intimate resulting vacancies to TRB; TRB to issue appropriate proceedings accommodating C.Jeevitha and T.Udhayarani; the three successful candidates to receive no monetary benefits but seniority reckoned on par with their batchmates.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Teachers Recruitment Board, having failed to challenge the common order dated 09.03.2021 made in W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019, could question the order made in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 alone (and the connected review order). +2 more

Court's answer

Having failed to challenge the common order dated 09.03.2021 made in W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019, it is not open to TRB to question the order made in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 alone; the principle of res judicata operates against the appellant.

Ratio / Principle

On the res judicata ground, W.A.(MD)No.184 of 2023 as well as W.A.(MD)No.186 of 2023 stand dismissed.

Key takeaways

Since TRB challenged only the disposal of Review Application No.90 of 2022 and did not challenge the original order allowing Jeevitha's writ petition (W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014), W.A.(MD)No.302 of 2023 stands dismissed.ratio¶112
Udhayarani is admittedly fully qualified; her sole grievance raised by TRB — non-attendance at the clarification camp to exercise her option between the Kallar Reclamation School and the education department — has been fully taken care of in the order passed by the learned single Judge, as similarly placed persons have already been employed and two originally selected candidates did not join.ratio¶113

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), common order dated 09.06.2025 (order of the Court by G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.; bench incl. K.RAJASEKAR, J.), dismissing four writ appeals (W.A.(MD)Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023) filed by the Teachers Recruitment Board under Clause 15 of Letters Patent against orders concerning recruitment of Secondary Grade Teachers in Kallar Reclamation Schools (64 posts; notification 21.08.2014; selection list 17.10.2014; 49 posts filled under an 80/20 interim-stay regime, 15 left vacant until W.P.(MD)No.17255 of 2014 was withdrawn on 24.08.2018). Holdings: (i) TRB, having failed to appeal the common order dated 09.03.2021 allowing W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019, could not question the identically-worded order in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 (Manjari) — res judicata operates; W.A.Nos.184 & 186 dismissed. (ii) An appeal against a disposed review application must also target the original writ order; TRB appealed only the 20.12.2022 review disposal (Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.90 of 2022) in Jeevitha's case without challenging W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014's original order — W.A.No.302 dismissed. (iii) In Uthayarani's case (W.A.No.463), though she missed the clarification/option camp, being fully qualified and with two original selectees (S.Muthupandi, S.Kalpana) not having joined, the Court dismissed the appeal and directed the Kallar Reclamation School to intimate the resulting vacancies to TRB and TRB to issue proceedings accommodating C.Jeevitha and T.Udhayarani; the three successful candidates (Manjari, Uthayarani, Jeevitha) get no monetary benefits, but seniority is reckoned on par with batchmates. Appeals dismissed without costs; connected CMPs closed.

W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

Dated : 09.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR

W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023 & C.M.P.(MD)Nos.2339, 2364, 3402 & 4753 of 2023

In W.A.(MD)No.184 of 2023

1.The Chairman, Teachers Recruitment Board, 4^th Floor, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai-600 006.

2.The Teachers Recruitment Board, Represented its Member Secretary, 4^th Floor, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai-600 006. ... Appellants / Respondents

Vs.

1.S.Manjari

... 1^st Respondent / Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019

2.The Commissioner / Director, Department of Most Backward & Denotified Communities Welfare, Chennai-600 005.

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3.The Joint Director of Kallar Reclamation,

Office of the Joint Director of Kallar Reclamation, Madurai-20. ... Respondents 2 & 3/ Respondents 2 & 3

PRAYER: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, praying this Court to set aside the interim order dated 09.03.2021 in W.P. (MD)No.7012 of 2019 on the file of this Court.

For Appellants : Mr.T.Amjed Khan Government Advocate

For Respondent : Mr.T.Aswin Rajasimman for R1

: Mr.C.Venkateshkumar Special Government Pleader for R2 & R3

In W.A.(MD)No.186 of 2023

1.The Chairman,

Teachers Recruitment Board,

4^th Floor, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Campus, College Road,

Chennai-600 006.

2.The Teachers Recruitment Board, Represented its Member Secretary, 4^th Floor, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Campus, College Road,

Chennai-600 006. ... Appellants / Review Petitioners / Respondents

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Vs.

1.S.Manjari ... 1^st Respondent /

Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019

2.The Commissioner / Director, Department of Most Backward & Denotified Communities Welfare, Chennai-600 005.

3.The Joint Director of Kallar Reclamation, Office of the Joint Director of Kallar Reclamation, Madurai-20. ... Respondents 2 & 3/ Respondents 2 & 3

PRAYER: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, praying this Court to set aside the interim order dated 24.08.2022 in Rev.Aplw. (MD)No.76 of 2021 on the file of this Court.

For Appellants : Mr.T.Amjed Khan Government Advocate

For Respondent : Mr.T.Aswin Rajasimman for R1

: Mr.C.Venkateshkumar Special Government Pleader for R2 & R3

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W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

In W.A.(MD)No.302 of 2023

The Teachers Recruitment Board, Represented by its Member Secretary, 4^th Floor, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai-600 006. ... Petitioner / 3^rd Respondent

Vs.

1.C.Jeevitha ... 1^st Respondent / Writ Petitioner

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Principal Secretary to Government, Elementary Education Department, St.George Fort, Chennai-9.

3.The Director of Elementary Education, Chennai-600 006.

4.The Commissioner / Director, Most Backward & De-notified Communities Welfare, Chennai-600 005.

5.The Joint Director, Kallar Reclamation, Madurai 20.

6.M.Vanitha ... Respondents 2, 3,4,5,6 / Respondents 1,2,4,5&6

PRAYER: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, praying this Court to set aside the order dated 20.12.2022 in Rev.Aplw.(MD)No. 90 of 2022 on the file of this Court.

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W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

For Appellants : Mr.T.Amjed Khan Government Advocate

For Respondent : Mr.G.Karthik for M/s.Lajapathi Roy Associates for R1

: Mr.C.Venkateshkumar Special Government Pleader for R2 to R5

In W.A.(MD)No.463 of 2023

The Chairman, Teachers Recruitment Board, EVK Sampath Maaligai, DPI Compound College Road, Chennai-600 006. ...Appellant / 2^nd Respondent Vs.

1.T.Uthayarani ... 1^st Respondent / Petitioner

2.The Principal Secretary to Government, School Education (TRB) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

3.The Director of School Education, College Road, Chennai-600 006.

4.The Director of Elementary Education, College Road, Chennai-600 006.

... Respondents 2, 3 & 4 /

Respondents 1,3&4

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W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

PRAYER:

PRAYER: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, praying this Court to set aside the order dated 17.03.2022 in W.P.(MD)No.17454 of 2014 on the file of this Court.

For Appellants : Mr.T.Amjed Khan Government Advocate For Respondent : Mr.I.Robert Chandrakumar for R1 : Mr.C.Venkateshkumar Special Government Pleader for R2 to R5

COMMON ORDER

( Order of the Court was made by G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.)

Heard both sides.

The case on hand pertains to filling up of 64 vacancies in the

post of secondary grade teacher in the Kallar Reclamation School. The recruitment process dates back to the year 2012-13. During the relevant time, it became necessary that the candidate should possess TET

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W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

qualification also. Since the TET qualified candidates were scarce in number, instead of resorting to competitive examination, the department chose to appoint the persons possessing the requisite qualification based on weightage marks. In this regard, the notification was issued on 21.08.2014. The selection list was published on 17.10.2014. Alleging that they were erroneously excluded, two individuals namely Uthayarani and Jeevitha filed W.P.(MD)No.17454 of 2014 and W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014. In Uthayarani's case, interim stay was granted. Subsequently, the said order was modified. One post was directed to be kept vacant. It is relevant to note that in Jeevitha's case, no interim order was granted.

Subsequently, one Sudalaimani filed W.P.(MD)No.17255 of

2014 challenging the reservation policy adopted while recruiting the candidates for the Kallar Reclamation Schools. In the said writ petition, interim stay was granted permitting to fill up the vacancies to the tune of 80%. The remaining 20% vacancies were ordered to be kept vacant. As a result, out of 64 posts, only 49 posts were filled up and the remaining 15 were kept as vacant. Eventually, W.P.(MD)No.17255 of

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W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

2014 was withdrawn on 24.08.2018. Since W.P.(MD)No.17255 of 2014

was withdrawn, there was no bar for filling up the remaining 15 posts. Therefore, one Maheswari and Jagadeesh filed W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019 and one Manjari filed W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019. The prayer made in both the writ petitions was that the entire selection list should be exhausted. The learned single Judge vide order dated 09.03.2021 allowed both the writ petitions in the following terms:-

“The petitioners herein had participated in the selection process conducted by the second respondent herein for the post of Secondary Grade Teachers in the Kallar Reclamation School and their names have also been included in the provisional section list dated 17.10.2014. Since the appointment orders have not been issued in their favour, the present writ petitions have been filed. The only reason assigned by the second respondent for non-issuance of the appointment orders is that there was an order of interim stay granted by this Court in W.P(MD)No.17454 of 2014 filed by one of the candidates.

2.Today this Court has passed an order in W.M.P(MD)No.1 of 2014 in W.P(MD)No.17454 of 2014 filed by one Mrs.T.Uthayarani, whereby, the interim order of stay was vacated and modified to the effect of one post of Secondary Grade Teacher in any of the BC & MBC Welfare Department schools can be kept vacant. As such there is no impediment on the part of the second respondent herein to propose the name of the petitioners herein for the purpose of issuance of appointment orders.

3.In the light of the above observations, writ of mandamus is

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hereby issued to the second respondent herein directing them to include the petitioners' name in the final provision list and consequently, forward the same to the fourth respondent herein for the purpose of issuance of appointment orders.

4.The second respondent herein shall endeavour to forward the petitioners name at least within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.These writ petitioners are allowed accordingly.”

Likewise, the writ petition filed by Udhayarani and Jeevitha

were also allowed by the learned single Judge on 17.03.2022 in the following terms:-

“11. Referring to the above said Communication, the learned Counsel for the respondents submitted that an appointment order was issued for 49 candidates, however, only 47 candidates have joined the service on 24.08.2009. From the list of Teachers Recruitment Board, dated 05.08.2015, the persons namely, S.Muthupandi shown in Sl.No.7 and S.Kalpana shown in Sl.No.22 have not joined the service. Therefore, two posts are vacant. It is submitted that the candidate Manjeri was already in the list and she joined the post. Since two posts are available, the respondents are directed to issue the appointment order to the writ petitioners, namely T.Udhayarani and C.Jeevitha. Therefore this Court directs that in the reserved post, the respondents shall accommodate the writ petitioner Udharani and grant an appointment and the TRB is directed to consider the candidature of Jeevitha and grant appointment order in any of the vacancies that are available due to candidates who have not joined in the allotted vacancies.”

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The department wanted review of the order dated 09.03.2021 in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 ie., in the case of Majari alone. The review was closed with clarification. Aggrieved by the order dated 09.03.2021 in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019, TRB filed W.A.(MD)No.184 of 2023. Aggrieved by the order made in review application, TRB filed W.A. (MD)No.186 of 2023. It is relevant to note that vide common order dated 09.03.2021, the learned single Judge allowed W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019 as well as W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019. The prayer made in both the writ petitions was one and the same. Having failed to challenge the order made in W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019, it is not open to TRB to question the order made in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 alone. The principle of resjudicata will clearly operate against the appellant.

In this view of the matter, W.A.(MD)No.184 of 2023 as well as W.A.(MD)No.186 of 2023 stand dismissed .

We have already noted that one Udhayarani as well as Jeevitha filed W.P.(MD)No.17454 of 2014 and W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014

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questioning their exclusion from the selection list. Questioning the order made in Udhayarani's case, TRB has filed W.A.(MD)No.463 of 2023. Aggrieved by the order made in Jeevitha's case, TRB filed Review Application No.90 of 2022. The review application was disposed of on 20.12.2022. Challenging the order made in the review application, W.A. (MD)No.302 of 2023 was filed. Jeevitha had filed W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014. TRB did not file any appeal challenging the order allowing the writ petition. They had come only against the order made in the review application. It is well settled that when a review application is filed and dismissed, an appeal should be filed not only against the review order but also against the original order. In this case, since TRB did not challenge the original order, W.A.(MD)No.302 of 2023 stands dismissed .

Admittedly, Udhayarani is fully qualified. The only grievance of the appellant is that she did not attend the clarification camp to exercise her option as to whether she would join the Kallar Reclamation School or the education department.

We are of the view that this aspect of the matter has been fully

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taken care in the order passed by the learned single Judge. Admittedly, Udhayarani is fully qualified. Similarly placed persons have already been given employment. Even out of the originally selected candidates, two of them have not joined. The learned single Judge had indicated that Udhayarani and Jeevitha have been accommodated as against those two resulting vacancies. The Kallar Reclamation School is directed to intimate TRB about the resulting vacancies. The TRB is directed to issue appropriate proceedings to accommodate Jeevitha as well as Udhayarani. All the three candidates who have succeeded in these proceedings will not be entitled to claim any monetary benefits. But their seniority will be reckoned on par with their batchmates.

W.A.(MD)No.463 of 2023 stands dismissed accordingly. No

costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

(G.R.S., J.) (K.R.S., J.) 09.06.2025

Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No NCC : Yes / No rmi

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To

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Elementary Education Department, St.George Fort, Chennai-9.

2.The Director of Elementary Education, Chennai-600 006.

3.The Commissioner / Director, Most Backward & De-notified Communities Welfare, Chennai-600 005.

4.The Joint Director, Kallar Reclamation, Madurai 20.

5.The Director of Elementary Education, College Road, Chennai-600 006.

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W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

AND K.RAJASEKAR, J.

rmi

W.A(MD) Nos.184, 186, 302 & 463 of 2023

09.06.2025

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Procedural history

How this case reached the court

AI extract

Order under challenge
Four decisions of the learned single Judge / review disposals at the Madurai Bench sought to be set aside by TRB via four writ appeals under Clause 15 of Letters Patent: the order dated 09.03.2021 allowing W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 (W.A.No.184); the order dated 24.08.2022 closing Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.76 of 2021 with clarification (W.A.No.186); the order dated 17.03.2022 in W.P.(MD)No.17454 of 2014 (Uthayarani) (W.A.No.463); and the order dated 20.12.2022 disposing Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.90 of 2022 (Jeevitha) (W.A.No.302).¶106
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court (learned single Judge)
Prior proceeding
Recruitment of Secondary Grade Teachers for Kallar Reclamation School (64 posts, 2012-13 process, TET qualification, weightage-marks route): notification issued 21.08.2014 and selection list published 17.10.2014.¶83
Prior proceeding
Uthayarani and Jeevitha, alleging erroneous exclusion from the selection list, filed W.P.(MD)No.17454 of 2014 and W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014 respectively.¶83
Prior proceeding
In Uthayarani's writ petition interim stay was granted, subsequently modified so that one post was kept vacant.¶83
Prior proceeding
In Jeevitha's writ petition no interim order was granted.¶83
Prior proceeding
Sudalaimani filed W.P.(MD)No.17255 of 2014 challenging the reservation policy adopted for recruiting candidates to the Kallar Reclamation Schools.¶84
Prior proceeding
Interim stay in W.P.(MD)No.17255 of 2014 permitted filling 80% of the vacancies; the remaining 20% were ordered kept vacant.¶85
Prior proceeding
Result: of the 64 posts, only 49 were filled and 15 remained vacant.¶85
Prior proceeding
W.P.(MD)No.17255 of 2014 was withdrawn on 24.08.2018.¶88
Prior proceeding
With the withdrawal of W.P.(MD)No.17255 of 2014 there was no bar to filling the remaining 15 posts.¶89
Prior proceeding
Maheswari and Jagadeesh filed W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019 and Manjari filed W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019.¶90
Prior proceeding
Prayer in both W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019 and W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 was that the entire selection list be exhausted.¶90
Prior proceeding
The learned single Judge allowed both W.P.(MD)No.3926 of 2019 and W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 by a common order dated 09.03.2021.¶90
Prior proceeding
Terms of the 09.03.2021 order: writ of mandamus directing inclusion of the petitioners' names in the final provision list and forwarding the same for issuance of appointment orders, endeavouring to do so within four weeks.¶97
Prior proceeding
The writ petitions filed by Udhayarani and Jeevitha were likewise allowed by the learned single Judge on 17.03.2022.¶100
Prior proceeding
Content of the 17.03.2022 order: with two selectees (S.Muthupandi, Sl.No.7 and S.Kalpana, Sl.No.22 per TRB list dated 05.08.2015) not having joined, two posts stood vacant; Udhayarani to be accommodated in the reserved post and TRB to consider Jeevitha's candidature against vacancies arising from non-joining candidates.¶102
Prior proceeding
TRB sought review of the order dated 09.03.2021 in W.P.(MD)No.7012 of 2019 (Manjari's case alone); the review (Rev.Aplw.(MD)No.76 of 2021) was closed with clarification.¶105
Prior proceeding
Review Application No.90 of 2022 (filed against the order in Jeevitha's writ petition) was disposed of on 20.12.2022.¶112
Prior proceeding
TRB did not file any appeal against the original order allowing Jeevitha's writ petition (W.P.(MD)No.17829 of 2014), coming only against the review disposal via W.A.(MD)No.302 of 2023.¶112