Dismissed¶31

A.Chengalrayan v. District Education Officer, Tiruvallur

Madras HC18 Jun 2025WP/21511/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras High Court; W.P.No.21511 of 2025 (with W.M.P.No.24286 of 2025); decision dated 18.06.2025; C. Kumarappan J.; writ of Certiorarified Mandamus under Article 226; termination/dismissal from service of Headmaster by District Educational Officer, Tiruvallur (order dated 26.02.2025, Na.Ka.3397/A3/2024); criminal case under POCSO Act; departmental enquiry; alternative remedy doctrine; appellate authority Joint Director of Elementary Education; writ petition dismissed with liberty to appeal; no costs; education department service dispute.

What did the court decide?

Liberty to the petitioner to challenge the impugned order dated 26.02.2025 before the appellate authority, the Joint Director of Elementary Education, in accordance with law; no costs; connected miscellaneous petition (W.M.P.No.24286 of 2025) closed. ¶31

A.Chengalrayan Vs District Education Officer… — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Madras HC (2025)

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W.P.No.21511 of 2025

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 18.06.2025

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN

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W.P.No.21511 of 2025 and

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W.M.P.No.24286 of 2025

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A. Chengalrayan ... Petitioner

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Vs.

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District Education Officer, Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur - 631 201.

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Development Education Officer, Pallipattu, Pallipattu-631 207. ... Respondents

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Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, seeking for an issuance of writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of District Educational Officer Na.Ka.3397/A3/2024 dated 26.02.2025 issued by the first respondent and quash the same, consequently direct the second respondent to issue fresh order of reinstation in the service.

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For Petitioner : Mr.G.Thyagarajan For Respondents : Mr.S.Mythreye Chandru Special Government Pleader

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Page 1 of 5

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.21511 of 2025

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ORDER

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The writ petition has been filed to quash the proceedings in Na.Ka.3397/A3/2024 dated 26.02.2025 issued by the first respondent and consequently to direct the second respondent to issue fresh order of reinstation in the service.

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The case of the petitioner is that he rendered 18 years of service as Headmaster at Pallipattu PUP School, Tiruvallur District. His wife lent money to locals Chiranjeevi and Varalakshmi, and when the petitioner demanded repayment of Rs.30,000/- on 05.11.2024, they allegedly foisted a false case against him with the help of others, accusing him of abusing a student. The DSP, Tiruttani, rejected their complaint after inquiry. Despite being on leave during the alleged incident, the petitioner was suspended, remanded to judicial custody for 26 days, and dismissed from service based on a report by the Block Education Officer without proper verification. Hence, the petitioner filed the present writ petition.

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Page 2 of 5

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.21511 of 2025

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The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the

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petitioner has been falsely implicated in a criminal case and pursuant thereto, he was terminated from service.

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However, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner was charged under the POCSO Act, was remanded to judicial custody, and that the criminal case is pending against him. He further submits that, pursuant to the said criminal complaint, departmental proceedings were initiated against the petitioner and after following due procedure and conducting a detailed enquiry, the petitioner was terminated from service by order dated 26.02.2025. It is further submitted that the Joint Director of Elementary Education is the competent appellate authority to challenge the said order of punishment.

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In view of the availability of an alternative remedy, this Court do not

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find any merit in the present writ petition.

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Page 3 of 5

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.21511 of 2025

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Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed, granting liberty to the

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petitioner to challenge the impugned order dated 26.02.2025 before the appellate authority, namely, the Joint Director of Elementary Education, in accordance with law. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

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18.06.2025

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nsl

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Index:Yes/No Speaking order/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation:Yes/No

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