S.A.S.Senthil v. The District Collector

ORDER The petitioner was initially appointed as an Intermediate Teacher at M.P.Adhikaram Middle School, Devakottai, in the year 1999. During the year 2002, he was transferred as Intermediate Warden to V.Pudur Students Hostel in the year 2002 and thereafter, he was transferred to various places. Finally, he was transferred to Poolankurichi Students Hostel with effect from 17.12.2025. While so, the petitioner was relieved from service, by the District Collector, Sivagangai District, by his proceedings in Na.Ka.W2/11157/2025 dated 08.01.2026. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition, challenging the proceedings dated 08.01.2026 on the ground that he has been terminated from service without issuing any notice and conducting any enquiry.

¶2The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the 2nd respondent has conducted a surprise inspection in the hostel, where, the petitioner was working as Warden and during the inspection, the 2nd respondent has found several irregularities in the Hostel. Based on the report filed by the 2nd respondent, the District Collector, by his proceedings dated 08.01.2026, relieved the petitioner from service with a direction to approach the Director of Adi Dravidar Welfare, Chennai.

¶3This Court considered the rival submissions made.

¶4The 2nd respondent appears to have conducted a surprise inspection and found certain irregularities in the Hostel. At that time, the petitioner was not available in the hostel and the students have reported the following defects. "1. The college students start from V.Pudur at

08.00 a.m. to the College in Poolaankurichi which is situated 22 kms away from V.Pudur. They are provided with breakfast only and afternoon lunch is not provided to the students to the College. Students were eating their afternoon lunch at about 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. in the evening only in the hostel after returning from the College.

¶2The food is not cooked as per the schedule and the schedule is not usually written in the hostel mess. Therefore, the students are not aware of the details on what days what food would be provided.

¶3There is no information about any contact numbers of any officer in the hostel. Hence, the students stated that they don't even know to whom the complaints must be made.

¶4The quantity of evening snacks sundal, sukku malli was less during the inspection and that were not provided to ten students, who came by late.

¶5During the inspection, the cook replied that the cooking items are provided less by the Guard.

¶6The students are provided only 4 or 5 idlis, or only 2 dosas, or only 2 pooris which are less. Moreover, the students said that they were not provided with the food when they are in need. Hence, it came to know that the students are not given proper needed food.

¶7It came to know that when the students questioned about the same, the warden Shri.Kalaiarasan replied that only those who are interested can stay in the hostel.

¶8It came to know that no food has been prepared for Poolankurichi college students ever since Mr.S.A.S.Senthil assumed charge of the hostel. Mr.C.Kalaiarasan, Warden of the V.Pudur School was only distributing cooking materials for both hostels. Mr.S.A.S.Senthil appeared on 08.01.2025 and explained that he never received cooking materials and never cooked separately for Poolankurichi Hostel.

¶9No students were provided with the polivu kit (bghypt[ fpl;). This details was not even known to the students.

¶10The room in which the cooking items were stored was locked and therefore, the stock was not inspected."

¶5The second respondent has submitted a report to the first respondent/the District Collector, Sivgangai District. The District Collector, considering the said report, has relieved the petitioner from service, in the interest of students of the hostel, with a direction to approach the Director, Adi Dravidar Welfare, for further orders.

¶6Though the petitioner has been relieved from service without issuing any notice, considering the action taken by the District Collector for the welfare of the students of the hostel, this Court is not inclined to interfere with the impugned order. However, the first respondent shall initiate necessary disciplinary proceedings as against the petitioner. The first respondent shall conduct an enquiry, after issuing a show cause notice and by appointing an independent Enquiry Officer and after ascertaining the facts, shall proceed further in accordance with law.

¶7With the above direction, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

06.02.2026 ogy Index : Yes / No. Internet : Yes / No. NCC : Yes / No. To

¶1The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu.

¶2The District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu.

¶3The Special Thasildar, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu.

B.PUGALENDHI, J. ogy

WP(MD) No.2978 of 2026

06.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 06.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD)No.2978 of 2026 and WMP(MD)Nos.2473 and 2483 of 2026 S.A.S.Senthil ... Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu. 2. The District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu. 3. The Special Thasildar, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu. ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certioarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.W2/11157/2025 dated 08.01.2026, quash the same as illegal and violation of principal natural justice and consequently direct the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service with continuity, seniority and attendant service and all consequential benefits and award wages from the date of termination till actual date of reinstatement. For Petitioner : Mr.I.Velpradeep For Respondents : Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh, Additional Government Pleader