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Oruginaindha Manapparai Taluka Manavari v. the Election Commission of India

Madras HC9 Apr 2026WP/13231/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

PIL maintainability in service matters; writ petition disposed; transfer of Government officials Tamil Nadu; representations dated 14.01.2026 and 19.02.2026; G.O.Ms.No.10 dated 07.01.1994; Election Commission of India; Chief Electoral Officer Tamil Nadu; Article 226 Constitution of India; Writ of Mandamus; Ayaaubkhan Noorkhan Pathan vs. State of Maharashtra (2013) 4 SCC 465; no order as to costs.

What did the court decide?

No public interest litigation is maintainable in service matters. ¶28

Oruginaindha Manapparai Taluka Manavari Vs the… — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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WP No.13231 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 09.04.2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,

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CHIEF JUSTICE

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AND

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THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN

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WP No.13231 of 2026

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Oruginaindha Manapparai Taluka Manavari Matrum Iravai Pasanthargal Vivasayigal Sangam Rep. by its President Mr.M.Abdullah Regn.No. 198/2013 Regd. Office at No.1222, East Street Puthantham Post, Manapparai Taluk Tiruchirappali District.

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Petitioner

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The Election Commission Of India Rep. by its Chief Election Commissioner Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110001.

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2.The Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu Public (Elections) Department Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai 600009.

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3.The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Chief Secretary Secretariat Fort St. George, Chennai 600009.

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4.The State Of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Secretary to Government Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai 600009.

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Respondents

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Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take

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

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WP No.13231 of 2026

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appropriate action upon the petitioner’s representation dated 14.01.2026 and 19.02.2026 regarding transfer of Government officials within the State of Tamil Nadu in compliance with the mandate under G.O.Ms.No.10 dated 07.01.1994 within a time frame.

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For Petitioner : Mr. B.Prashanth Nadaraj For Respondents : Mr. Niranjan Rajagopalan Standing Counsel for R1 and R2.

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Mr. J.Ravindran Additional Advocate General (Through Video Conferencing) Assisted By Mrs. E.Ranganayaki Additional Government Pleader for R3 and R4.

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ORDER

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(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice)

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By this petition styled as a ‘public interest litigation’, the petitioner seeks a direction upon the respondents to take appropriate action on the petitioner’s representations dated 14.01.2026 and 19.02.2026, regarding transfer of Government officials within the State of Tamil Nadu.

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It is well settled that no public interest litigation is maintainable in service matters. This issue is covered by the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Ayaaubkhan Noorkhan Pathan vs.

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WP No.13231 of 2026

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State of Maharashtra¹ , wherein the Apex Court has held that such a course of action is not permissible so far as service matters are concerned.

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The petitioner’s attempt seeking transfer of officials through a public interest litigation is nothing but perverse and misconceived. Accordingly, we refrain from entertaining this petition. However, the Election Commission of India would be free to deal with the representation if any submitted by the petitioner, in accordance with law. The writ petition stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs.

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(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 09.04.2026

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Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No tar

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