A.Sangeetha v. The Commissioner

O R D E R This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To call for the records relating to the proceedings in TDP. Case No.12 of 2024 in Rc.A1/224/2024 dated

25.08.2025 of the respondent and quash the same."

¶2The petitioner was working as a Sub-Registrar at the Joint I Sub-Registrar Office, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore District. On

31.08.2023, a joint surprise inspection was conducted at the Joint-I Sub-Registrar Office, Vridhachalam. During the inspection, certain documents and materials were seized and an amount of Rs.8,27,000/- was found from various private persons and document writers present in the office premises. Subsequently, based on a complaint given by one K.Murugan, a case was registered by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing, Cuddalore in Crime No.11 of 2023 on 01.09.2023 under Section 7 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

¶3Based on the said complaint and inspection, the petitioner was arrayed as Accused No.2 and disciplinary proceedings were initiated before the Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings, Tiruchirapalli. The respondent issued summons directing the petitioner to appear before the Tribunal for further proceedings in T.D.P. Case No.12 of 2024 in Rc.Al/224/2024 dated 25.08.2025. Challenging the same, the petitioner is before this Court.

¶4Heard the learned counsels and perused the records.

¶5A perusal of the records would show that the following charges have been framed: "Charge 1 You (Accused officer) Tmt A Sangeetha, while you were working as Sub Registrar. Joint I Sub-Registrar Office, Virudhachalam, Cuddalore district, during the Joint Surprise check conducted on 31.08.2023, between 18.00 hours and 23.55 hours, at the office of the Joint 1 Sub Registrar, Virudhachalam, Panchayat, Sethiyathope, an unaccounted money to the tune of Rs.8,27,000/- was found and seized from various private persons and document writers at your Office premises, for which you could not satisfactorily account for Thereby you had committed grave official misconduct and failed to maintain absolute Integrity and devotion to duty and acted in a manner which is unbecoming a member of Government service and violated Rule 20 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Government Servants' Conduct Rules 1973. Charge 2 You (Accused officer) Tmt A.Sangeetha, while you were working as Sub Registrar, Joint I Sub-Registrar Office, Virudhachalam, Cuddalore district, during the Joint Surprise check conducted on 31.08.2023, between 18.00 hours and 23.55 hours, at the office of the Joint 1 Sub Registrar, Virudhachalam, Panchayat, Sethiyathope, You have engaged one private person Thiru V.Udayakumar, on your own accord and source of money for payment of wages to do official work at your office. Thereby you have violated the rules and regulations issued time and again through circular memorandum. Thereby you had committed grave official misconduct and failed to maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and acted in a manner which is unbecoming a member of Government service and violated Rule 20, 1) of the Tamil Nadu Government Servants Conduct Rules. 1973.

¶6It is seen that to date the petitioner has not submitted an explanation to the said charges. The above charges appears grave.

¶7Therefore, this Court is not inclined to quash the charge memo. The petitioner is directed to submit an explanation to the charge memo within a period of 3 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Thereafter, the respondent shall dispose of the disciplinary proceedings at the earliest.

¶8With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.

18.03.2026

kan To The Commissioner, Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings, Tiruchirapalli.

P.T. ASHA, J

kan

18.03.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 18.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 10972 of 2026 & W.M.P.No. 11899 of 2026 A.Sangeetha ...Petitioner Vs. The Commissioner, Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings, Tiruchirapalli. ...Respondent Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records relating to the proceedings in TDP. Case No.12 of 2024 in Rc.A1/224/2024 dated 25.08.2025 of the respondent and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mrs. A.L.Ganthimathi Senior Counsel For Mr.L.Palani Muthu For Respondent : Mr. R.U.Dinesh Raj Kumar Additional Government Pleader