A.Sanmuka Priya v. The Principal Secretary to Government

O R D E R The petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to appoint the petitioners as nurses worked during the Covid-19 pandemic period within the time fixed by this Court as like similarly placed nurses.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners completed Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery and joined the services as Nurses in the Government Hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic and their services were terminated on 31.03.2022. For the services rendered by the petitioners, the Dean of the respective Institution issued necessary certificate. The learned counsel further submitted that challenging the termination order, some of the similarly placed persons approached this Court by filing writ petitions and the said writ petitions were allowed by this Court and aggrieved by the same, the respondents filed writ appeals and during the hearing of the said appeals, the respondents submitted that the Government agreed to regularize the services of the Nurses who worked during Covid Pandemic. Whileso, several persons who have not served during the Covid Pandemic were recruited and the first respondent issued proceedings dated

04.02.2026 directing to take action on the erred officials and on the next day on 05.02.2026, the second respondent issued a list of 719 candidates for providing job assistance, in which, the name of the petitioners were not found.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners further submitted that therefore the petitioners made representation dated

11.02.2026 to the respondents seeking to consider them for appointment, however, there is no response. Hence, this Court may without going into the merits of the case, issue direction to the respondents to consider the petitioners representation dated

11.02.2026 and to pass appropriate orders, within a reasonable time frame.

4.Considering the limited relief now sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the petitioners representation dated 11.02.2026, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.The writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

17.02.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 09.

2.The Director, Medical and Rural Health Services, DMS Building, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai – 06. M.DHANDAPANI,J. pri And W.M.P.No.6362 of 2026

17.02.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 17.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.No.6362 of 2026 1.A.Sanmukapriya 2.R.Vembu 3.Jayapriya R ... Petitioners Vs. 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 09. 2.The Director, Medical and Rural Health Services, DMS Building, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai – 06. ... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents herein to appoint the petitioners as nurses worked during the Covid-19 pandemic period within the time fixed by this Hon'ble Court as like similarly placed nurses. For Petitioners : Mr.B.Manoharan For Respondents : Mr.K.Tippu Sulthan Government Advocate