Pragasamary v. The Joint Director of Collegiate Education

O R D E R Heard Mr.K.R.Kishore Ram, learned Counsel for the Petitioner and Mr.C.Jeganathan, learned Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu, who takes notice for Respondents.

¶2This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, challenging the proceedings passed by the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.2373254/2026/M3 dated 27.01.2026 and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to reimburse the amount recovered for the month of May 2026.

¶3The petitioner claims to be the wife of Late Anthonysamy, who was appointed as Reader in the category of Selection Grade Lecturer in the Department of Botany, St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District, on 05.07.1984, and continued in service till his demise on 08.01.2001. The petitioner is a family pensioner and has been drawing family pension since 08.01.2001. An amount of Rs.20,86,839/- is sought to be recovered from the petitioner consequent upon the refixation of her pension vide the impugned proceedings bearing Na.Ka. 2373254/2026/M3, dated 27.01.2026. Aggrieved by the said proceedings, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present Writ Petition challenging the same on the ground that they have been issued in violation of the principles of natural justice.

¶4When the matter was taken up for consideration on 07.07.2026, this Court granted an opportunity to the respondents to get instructions as to whether any opportunity had been afforded to the petitioner before the issuance of the impugned proceedings, and the matter was adjourned to today, i.e., 10.07.2026.

¶5Today, when the matter is taken up for further consideration, Mr.C.Jeganathan, learned Counsel for the Government of Tamil Nadu, on instructions, submits that no opportunity was afforded to the petitioner before the issuance of the impugned proceedings.

¶6In the light of the admitted fact that no opportunity was afforded to the petitioner before issuing the impugned proceedings, which adversely affect the petitioner, this Court is constrained to hold that the impugned proceedings cannot be sustained, as they were issued in violation of the principles of natural justice. Accordingly, the impugned proceedings in Na.Ka.2373254/2026/M3, dated 27.01.2026, are hereby quashed, and the matter is remanded to the 2nd respondent for taking appropriate action strictly in accordance with law. The amount, if any, recovered from the petitioner towards family pension pursuant to the impugned proceedings shall be refunded to the petitioner forthwith.

¶7In view of the above, this Writ Petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

10.07.2026 Index :Yes / No Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No Nsr To:

1.The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, O/o.The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Tirunelveli.

2.The Treasury Officer, District Collectorate, Tiruchirapalli. MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR

, J.

Nsr

10.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.14007 of 2026 Pragasamary ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, O/o.The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Tirunelveli. 2.The Treasury Officer, District Collectorate, Tiruchirapalli. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records on the file of the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.2373254/2026/M3 dated 27.01.2026 and to quash the same as illegal and arbitrary and consequently to direct the 2nd respondent to reimburse the amount recovered for the month of May 2026. For Petitioner : Mr.K.R.Kishore Ram For Respondents : Mr.C.Jeganathan Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu *****