C.Punnithavathi v. The Chief Educational Officer

ORDER Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 3.

¶2When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioners fairly submitted that the issue involved in the present writ petition is squarely covered by the Common Judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in V.Padma and 21 Others vs. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009 and 10 Others ( W.A.No.1215 of 2024 and batch of cases, dated 08.06.2026).

¶3By submitting as above, the learned counsel for the petitioners has placed before this Court a copy of the Common judgment passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench in the aforesaid cases. Page3 of 4

¶4The learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.1 to 3 submits that the issue involved in the present writ petition is covered by the aforesaid decision.

¶5Having regard to the aforesaid submission and notwithstanding the fact that the counsel for the petitioner has informed this Court that a review applications and batch of writ appeals have been filed before this Court, judicial discipline requires this Court to follow the order passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court. 6 In view of the above, since, the issue is no longer res integra, following the decision rendered by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court, this Court is of the view that there is no necessity to revisit the issue involved in the present writ petition.

¶7Accordingly, this Writ Petition fails and is dismissed. No order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 06-08-2026 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No KKD Page4 of 4

T.VINOD KUMAR, J. KKD To

¶1The Chief Educational Officer, Chennai District, Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School Campus, Egmore, Chennai 600 008.

¶2The District Educational Officer, Chennai North Education District, Sidco Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai 600 049.

¶3The Block Educational Officer, Perambur Block, Sidco Nagar, Villivkkm, Chenni 600 049.

¶4The Secretary, SMDP Venugopal Chetty Primary School, No.11, Rotler Street, Chollai, Chennai 600 102. AND WMP NO. 917 OF 2021 06-08-2026

Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE T. VINOD KUMAR AND WMP NO. 917 OF 2021 1. C.Punnithavathi 2. G.Sargunam . ..Petitioner(s) Vs. 1. The Chief Educational Officer, Chennai District, Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School Campus, Egmore, Chennai 600 008. 2. The District Educational Officer, Chennai North Education District, Sidco Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai 600 049. 3. The Block Educational Officer, Perambur Block, Sidco Nagar, Villivakkam, Chenni 600 049. 4. The Secretary, SMDP Venugopal Chetty Primary School, No.11, Rotler Street, Chollai, Chennai 600 102. ..Respondent(s) Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to grant annual increment to the petitioners in the post of Secondary Grade Teacher in the 4th respondent school as well as the incentive increment for having B.Lit. Degree acquired by the petitioners, including the payment of salary from the date of appointment Page2 of 4 and arrears of salary from the date of appointment and other service emoluments along with interest for delay in payment, by considering the representation of the petitioners dated 09.12.2020 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioners : Mr.S.Nedunchezhiyan For Respondents : Mr.C.P.Goutham Govt.Advocate – R1 to R3 No Appearance - R4