K.Jaya v. the Secretary to Government
Case brief
What is this about?
Locus standi of a private individual to seek a writ of mandamus compelling government authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings against officials for human rights violations; Article 226, Constitution of India; maintainability of such a petition; dismissal without costs. Court: High Court of Judicature at Madras; Case: W.P.No.38757 of 2024; Decided: 26.03.2025; Bench: G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J. Petitioner: K.Jaya (counsel: K.V.Shanmuganathan). Respondents 1-3: Secretary to Government of Tamilnadu (Home Department), Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police Cuddalore (counsel: A.Gopinath, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)); Respondents 4-6: Murugesan, Ravikumar, Velmurugan (counsel: D.Senthil Kumar). Outcome: petition dismissed, no costs.
What did the court decide?
The petitioner, being a private individual, does not have the locus standi to seek a direction to respondents 1 to 3 to initiate disciplinary proceedings against respondents 4 to 6; respondents 1 to 3 may themselves initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings against respondents 4 to 6 if they have committed any misconduct or irregularities.