A Leading Fireman given ad hoc promotion as Station Fire Officer faced reversion due to pending Rule 17-B major penalty disciplinary proceedings; his writ petition challenging the reversion order was rejected by the Writ Court. The Division Bench upheld the deferral of promotion pending enquiry outcome.
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WA No. 3728 of 2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 22-01-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R. SURESH KUMAR
AND
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SHAMIM AHMED
WA No. 3728 of 2025 AND CMP Nos. 30953 and 30948 OF 2025
P.Boopathy, S/o.Palanivelu, Station Fire Officer, (Leading Fireman 6154) Kolli Hills Fire And Rescue Station, Namakkal District, Salem Region.
..Appellant
Vs
..Respondents
Prayer : Writ Appeal under Clause XV of the Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 30.10.2025 passed in WP NO. 41070 of 2025 .
For Appellant : Ms.S.Renuka For Respondents : Mr.S.John J Rajasingh Additional Government Pleader
Judgment
(Judgment of the Court was delivered by R.Suresh Kumar J.)
This intra court appeal has been directed against the order of the learned Writ
Court dated 30.10.2025 made in W.P.No.41070 of 2025.
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WA No. 3728 of 2025
Fireman. From that post, the next promotional avenue is Station Fire Officer (SFO). For want of candidates in the said post, the writ petitioner was given adhoc promotion and pursuant to the adhoc promotion, he has been working as Station Fire Officer. While that being so, there has been a disciplinary proceedings initiated against him due to the charges framed by the Department of Vigilance and Anti Corruption.
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WA No. 3728 of 2025
from the adhoc position to the original position is justifiable. Finding so, the learned Judge dismissed the writ petition through the impugned order dated 30.10.2025. Challenging the same, the present writ appeal has been filed.
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Therefore, the non-inclusion of the writ petitioner in the panel fit for promotion to the post of Station Fire Officer is justifiable one, he contended.
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WA No. 3728 of 2025
(R.S.K.,J.) (S.S.A.,J.) 22-01-2026
Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No
KST
To
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WA No. 3728 of 2025
R.SURESH KUMAR J. AND SHAMIM AHMED J.
KST
WA No. 3728 of 2025
22-01-2026
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2 issues framed by the court
Whether a fireman facing pending major penalty disciplinary proceedings under Rule 17-B can be included in the promotion panel for Station Fire Officer or retain an ad hoc promoted post.
Whether reversion from ad hoc promotion due to pending disciplinary proceedings was justified.
1 provisions across 1 enactments
P. Boopathy, S/o. Palanivelu
The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home (Police-17) Department
The Director General of Police / Director Fire and Rescue Services
R. Suresh Kumar
Shamim Ahmed
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
