V.Reka v. The Government of Tamil Nadu

Order This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents 3 and 4 to relieve the petitioner from the 4th Respondent Institute pursuant to the order bearing Ref. No.15629/ N2/ 2/ 2025 dated 18.07.2025 passed by the 2nd respondent and to divert Page3 of 8 her services to the Government Hospital, Nilakottai, Dindigul District within a time frame fixed by this Court.

¶2The petitioner would submit that she completed B.Sc. Nursing on

30.09.2010 and registered with the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council on 20.01.2012. Pursuant to the notification issued by the Medical Recruitment Board, the petitioner was selected and appointed as Staff Nurse on a consolidated basis on 12.02.2016 and initially posted at Government Primary Health Centre, Kavalkaranpatti, Karur District. Thereafter, she was transferred to Government Hospital, T. Vadipatti, Madurai District. By proceedings dated 13.11.2024, the petitioner's services were regularised and she was granted a regular time scale of pay. Subsequently, she was transferred and posted to Government Namakkal Medical College (4th Respondent).

¶3The petitioner would submit that her parents passed away when she was young and she was brought up by her guardian. She is married and has two minor children. Her husband is a priest working in Dindigul. The petitioner's in-laws are aged and suffering from ailments, and she is required to take care of her family and minor children. Considering her Page4 of 8 family circumstances, the petitioner made a request on 16.07.2025 seeking transfer to a place near her hometown. Based on the same, orders were passed on 18.07.2025 to divert her services to Government Hospital, Nilakottai, Dindigul District. However, the petitioner has not been relieved by the 4th respondent so far on the ground that no relieving order has been issued by the 3rd respondent. Despite repeated representations, including the one dated 10.12.2025, no action has been taken. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.

¶4Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

¶5The records would show that pursuant to the request of the petitioner dated 16.07.2025 to the 2nd respondent seeking to divert her service to a place closer to her hometown, the 2nd respondent has passed an order dated 18.07.2025 to divert her services to the Government Hospital, Nilakottai, Dindigul District. The petitioner had requested for the diversion on account of the fact that she has to take care of her minor children and her father-in-law, who is suffering from various ailments Page5 of 8 requiring constant attention. Despite issuing the diversion order dated

18.07.2025, the same has not been effected constraining the petitioner to approach this Court. It appears that the petitioner had been approaching the respondents to give effect to the order dated 18.07.2025. Finally on

10.12.2025, the petitioner had made a detailed representation to implement the order dated 18.07.2025. However, there was no response.

¶6Mr.M.Bindran, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents has produced the minutes of the meeting held on 22.10.2025 regarding transfer diversion / deputation of Medical Officers / Staff Nurses convened by the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, with the Heads of Departments. He would submit that in the said meeting, several decisions were taken and the one relevant to the case on hand is in Clause 4 which reads as follows:- "iv. If any candidate has to be diverted / deputed from one Head of Department to other Head of Department, the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services should not issue any such orders unless the remarks of the concerned Head of Department is obtained by way of consent / NOC." Page6 of 8 In the case on hand, the diversion order has been issued as early as on

18.07.2025. As on date, there has been no objection to the diversion order to any of the officers. Therefore, there is no impediment in relieving the petitioner from the 4th respondent Institute.

¶7Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. The respondents 3 and 4 are directed to implement the order of the 2nd respondent dated

18.07.2025 within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 15-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN Page7 of 8 To

¶1The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

¶2The Director, Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services DMS Campus, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai-600 006.

¶3The Directorate of Medical, Education and Research Rep. by its Director, EVR High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.

¶4The Dean Government Namakkal Medical College Hospital, No.353, Master Plan Complex, Siluvampatti, Namakkal-637 603. WPoNo.o50415oofo2025 P.T.ASHAoJ. SRN WPoNo.o50415oofo2025 AND WMPoNO.o56429oOFo2025 15-04-2026 Page8oofo8

Page1 of 8 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA AND WMP NO. 56429 OF 2025 V.Reka W/o.P.Karthik, No.4/408, Balaji Meeting Hall Opposite Street, Anaipatti, Anaipatti Post, Nilakkottai, Dindigul- 624 219. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Government Of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai- 600 009. 2. The Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services Rep. by its Director, DMS campus, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai- 600 006. 3. The Directorate of Medical, Education and Research Rep. by its Director, EVR High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai- 600 010. Page2 of 8 4. The Dean Government Namakkal Medical College Hospital, No.353, Master Plan Complex, Siluvampatti, Namakkal- 637 603. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd and 4th Respondent to relieve the petitioner from the 4th Respondent Institute Pursuant to the order bearing Ref. No.15629/ N2/ 2/ 2025 dt. 18.07.2025 passed by the 2nd Respondent Directorate and to divert her service to the Government Hospital, Nilakottai, Dindigul District within a time frame fixed by this court. For Petitioner(s): Mr.V.Govardhanan for M/s. Row and Reddy For Respondent(s): Mr.M.Bindran, Additional Government Pleader