G.Maheswari v. The Joint Director of School Education (Higher Secondary)

ORDER The writ petition is filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus to quash the order passed passed by the 2nd respondent dated 09.03.2026 and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue as an Assistant Project Officer, Tiruppur District.

¶2The brief facts are as follows:-

(i) The petitioner was appointed as a Junior Grade PG Assistant (Zoology) in the year 2004 through the Teacher Recruitment Board and later was regularized in services. She has served in various schools and was promoted as a Higher Secondary Headmaster in the year 2024, based on the seniority. Thereafter, she was selected and appointed as an Assistant Project Officer(APO) under the Illam Thedi Kalvi scheme on deputation. She had assumed charge on 01.07.2025 and discharged her duties diligently. Page3 of 6

(ii) The petitioner would contend that the scheme had been introduced to address learning losses during the Covid 19 Pandemic. This scheme is implemented through volunteers under the supervision of the education authorities and the petitioner had played a key role in effective implementation in the Thirupattur District. In fact, her efforts led to large-scale participation of over 115000 students in educational and cultural activities. She had also received a Certificate of Appreciation for the year 2025-2026 recognizing the services rendered by her.

(iii) It is the contention of the petitioner that, based on a false complaint made through a fake e-mail I.D alleging that the volunteers were being misused for loading and unloading activities, an enquiry was conducted. Thereafter, the allegations were found to be baseless. However, on account of the repeated complaints, an explanation was called for from the petitioner. Page4 of 6

(iv) While so, the petitioner has been abruptly transferred back to the post of the Headmaster even before the completion of the three years tenure. Therefore, the petitioner would submit that the transfer is per se punitive in nature and seeks to have the impugned order quashed.

¶3Heard the learned counsels on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶4The petitioner has not been able to show any Rule which indicates that a person on deputation under the scheme is entitled to continue in the said project for a period of three years. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner had further contended that two earlier APOs had continued in the project and, therefore, the transfer of the petitioner within a period of one year would, by itself, indicate that it is punitive in nature. This contention cannot be countenanced for the simple reason that the petitioner was only posted on deputation as an APO and has now been transferred back to her original post, namely, that of Headmaster. In the absence of any Rule prescribing a minimum tenure, this Court finds no reason to Page5 of 6 interfere with the impugned order. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 01-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN To

¶1The Joint Director Of School Education (Higher Secondary) Directorate of School Education Perasiriyar Anbazhagan Kalvi Valagam College Road Chennai 600006.

¶2The Chief Educational Officer Thirupattur District Thirupattur. WPoNo.o12269oofo2026 P.T.ASHAoJ. SRN WPoNo.o12269oofo2026 and W.M.P.Nos.13401oando13402oofo2026 01-04-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 01-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and W.M.P.Nos.13401 and 13402 of 2026 G.Maheswari ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Joint Director Of School Education (Higher Secondary) Directorate of School Education Perasiriyar Anbazhagan Kalvi Valagam College Road Chennai 600006. 2. The Chief Educational Officer Thirupattur District Thirupattur. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned order issued by the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.No. 1062/Aa1/2026 dated 09.03.2026 and to quash the same and consequently directing the respondents to allow the petitioner to continue as Assistant Project Officer, Tirupattur District. Page2 of 6 For Petitioner(s): Mr.G.Sankaran, Senior Counsel for Mr.S.Nedunchezhiyan For Respondent(s): Mrs.Mythreya Chandru Special Government Pleader