Vivekanandhan v. The Regional Transport Officer

ORDER The petitioner herein was placed under suspension through proceedings dated 09.03.2025 while he was working as the Driver in Regional Transport Office, Thanjavur consequent upon his involvement in a criminal case which was registered in Crime No. 104 of 2025 of Tamil University Police Station, Thanjavur. The said order of suspension was revoked through proceedings bearing R.No. 9540/B/2025 dated 12.03.2026. The said proceedings were issued by the respondent herein as early as on 12.03.2026.

¶2The grievance of the petitioner is that in spite of revocation of suspension, the petitioner is not permitted to join in the post of Driver at Regional Transport Office, Thanjavur. Hence, the petitioner approached this Court by filing the present writ petition.

¶3According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is ready to join duty in the said post immediately after issuance of proceedings dated 12.03.2026 but he has not been permitted till date.

¶4This matter earlier came up for consideration before this Court on 10.04.2026 and the same was adjourned to today to enable Mr.B.Ramanathan, learned Additional Government Pleader to get instructions as to why the petitioner is not allowed to join duty.

¶5Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration, Mr.Shaji Bino, learned Special Government Pleader submitted that the petitioner was involved in a criminal case and therefore he is required to be posted in a non-sensitive post and therefore, the petitioner was not permitted to join in the post.

¶6This Court, having taken note of the fact that suspension ordere was already revoked as early as on 12.03.2026, is of the considered view that it is not open for the respondent not to permit the petitioner to join in the post of Driver at the Regional Transport Office, Thanjavur.It is not in dispute that the suspension was revoked through proceedings dated 12.03.2026 and so long the said revocation order is in operation, it is not open for the respondent to refuse to permit the petitioner to join duty in the post where he was working prior to the date of suspension, especially in the absence of any alternative posting orders issued while revoking the suspension.

¶7In the circumstances, this Court does not see any reason to keep the matter pending or to invite counter affidavit of the respondent. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of directing the respondent to permit the petitioner to join duty in the post of Driver at Regional Transport Office, Thanjavur consequent upon revocation of suspension through proceedings R.No.9540/B/2025 dated

12.03.2026. No costs.

16.04.2026 CM TO

¶1The Regional Transport Offic, Er, Thanjavur Region, Thanjavur District. MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR,J CM

WP(MD) No.10113 of 2026 Date : 16/04/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 16/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR Vivekanandhan ... Petitioner Vs. The Regional Transport Officer, Thanjavur Region, Thanjavur District. ... Respondent PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to permit the petitioner to join duty forthwith pursuant to the revocation of suspension vide proceedings dated 12.03.2026 in Proc. R.No.9540/B/2025 and consequently direct the Respondents to settle the pending salary amount from 01.11.2025 to till date by considering the petitioner's representation dated 16.03.2026 and pass appropriate orders within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sathyachidambaram For Respondent : Mr.S.Shaji Bino Special Government Pleader