D.Selvananthi v. The Deputy Secretary to Government

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the second respondent to declare that 2 years Diploma in Special Education (Mentally Retardation) awarded by the Manipal University, to the petitioner as equivalent to Trained Teacher Certificate of Secondary Grade, with Junior Diploma in Page3 of 6 Mentally Retardation, as per Letter dated 11.01..2012 of the Rehabilitation Council of India, Ministry of Social Welfare Justice and Empowerment, on the basis of the representation made by the petitioner to the first and the second respondents dated 05.11.2025

¶2Heard the learned counsels appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself. Since no adverse order has been passed as against the sixth respondent, notice to the sixth respondent is dispensed with.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner after completion of HSC, joined two years Diploma in Special Education (Mental Retardation) at Chennai and passed the same in the year 2005 and thereafter completed two years Diploma in Special Education in Manipal University which is approved by the third respondent. He further submitted that after completion of the aforesaid course, she registered her qualification under the third respondent and also underwent a special training on early intervention of mentally retardation and associated disabilities and joined an early intervention centre for mentally retarded in the year 2008 and worked there till 2018. He continued that the petitioner was appointed and joined duty as Secondary Grade Teacher in the sixth respondent school in the vacancy that arose due to the retirement of one incumbent on 01.06.2018, for which proposal for appointment Page4 of 6 approval was sent to the fourth respondent through the fifth respondent, who raised certain queries in regard to two years Diploma Course as one year Diploma course with regard to Mental Retardation is the requisite qualification and the same was clarified by the sixth respondent, however no order was passed by the fourth respondent. He added that the sixth respondent re-submitted a proposal once again with a reminder letter on 10.04.2023, since no response, the sixth respondent attempted to oust the petitioner by appointing another person in her place, which was challenged by the petitioner in W.P.No.21022 of 2023 and this Court had granted absolute stay on 18.07.2023 and the matter is pending adjudication. He submitted that in the aforesaid backdrop, the petitioner made a detailed representation to the first respondent on

05.11.2025, who in turn instructed the second respondent to take appropriate action but till now, no action was taken by the respondents and hence, the present Writ Petition.

¶4Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court directs the second respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 05.11.2025 in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Page5 of 6

¶5With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no orders as to costs. 27-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP To

¶1The Deputy secretary to Government Equivalent Committee, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09

¶2Tamil nadu State Council for higher Education, Rep by its Member Secretary, Chennai 5

¶3The Rehabilitation Council of India, Rep by its member secretary, B-22 Qutub institutional Area, New Delhi 110 016

¶4The commissioner for Differently Abled, Lady Wellington college Campus, chennai 600 005

¶5The District Differently Abled Welfare officer Krishnagiri District

¶6The Correspondent IELC. Maans School for the mentally Retarded Krishnagiri District Page6 of 6

M.DHANDAPANI, J. DP WP No. 2514 of 2026 27-01-2026

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27-01-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 2514 of 2026 D.Selvananthi Secondary Grade Teacher, IELC, maans School for the mentally Retarded, ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Deputy secretary to Government Equivalent Committee, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09 2. Tamil nadu State Council for higher Education, Rep by its Member Secretary, Chennai 5 3. The Rehabilitation Council of India, Rep by its member secretary, B-22 Qutub institutional Area, New Delhi 110 016 4. The commissioner for Differently Abled, Lady Wellington college Campus, chennai 600 005 Page2 of 6 5. The District Differently Abled Welfare officer Krishnagiri District 6. The Correspondent IELC. Maans School for the mentally Retarded Krishnagiri District ..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to declare that 2 yers Diploma in Special Education (mentially Retardation) awarded by the Manipal University, to the petitioner as equivalent to Trained Teacher Certificate of Secondary Grade, with juniro Diploma in Mentally Retardation, as per Letter dated 11.01..2012 of the Rehabilitation Council of India, Ministry of Social Welfare justice and Empowerment, on the basis of the representation made by the petitioner to the 1st and the 2nd respondents dated 05.11.2025 For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.N.Ravichandran For Respondent(s): Mr.K.Surendran, AGP for R1 to R5