D.A.Babu Ravivarman v. The Joint Director of Agriculture

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the Respondents to refund the sum of Rs.2,17,623/- recovered from the Petitioners DCRG.

¶2The petitioner was initially appointed as an Agricultural Officer in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu, on 08.05.1986 and was later promoted as Assistant Director of Agriculture in the year 2008. He retired from service on 31.10.2017. One Thanga Kalaivanan, who was working as Depot Manager at the Agricultural Extension Centre, Madhanur, died on 30.07.2012 while he was in charge of the stock in the godown. Subsequently, when the godown was opened on 24.08.2012, a shortage of stock to the extent of Rs.4,35,246/- was found. On the verge of retirement, the petitioner was compelled to accept the responsibility for 50% of the alleged loss and a sum of Rs.2,17,623/- was recovered from his DCRG at the time of his retirement on 31.10.2017. The remaining 50% was ordered to be recovered from one Radha, Agricultural Officer. However, the said recovery was challenged by her in W.P.No.14941 of 2018 and this Court set aside the recovery proceedings by order dated Page3 of 6

14.10.2024. Since the recovery from the petitioner was made without following the principles of natural justice and without determining his liability in accordance with law, the petitioner submitted several representations seeking refund of the amount recovered from his DCRG. The petitioner submitted his latest representation dated 25.06.2025 to the respondents requesting refund of Rs.2,17,623/-. However, no orders have been passed on the said representation till date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.

¶3Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

¶4Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, a mandamus is issued to the respondents to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representation dated 25.06.2025 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. No costs. 16-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN Page4 of 6 To

¶1The Joint Director of Agriculture Vellore -632 002

¶2The Assistant Director of Agriculture Madhanur, Vellore District -635 804 Page5 of 6 P.T.ASHA J. SRN 16-03-2026 Page6 of 6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 16-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA D.A.Babu Ravivarman S/o. R. Arunachalam, No.1/A, Kumarappa Nagar, 12th Street, Katpadi, Vellore District -632 007 ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Joint Director of Agriculture Vellore -632 002 2. The Assistant Director of Agriculture Madhanur, Vellore District -635 804 ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to refund the sum of Rs.2,17,623/- recovered from the Petitioner's DCRG. For Petitioner(s): Mr P.Rajendran For Respondent(s): Mr.R.V.Dinesh Rajkumar, Additional Government Pleader Page2 of 6