R.Raji Leela v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER The petitioner challenges the proceedings dated 02.02.2026 issued by the third respondent in R.No.1030512/ES/A4/2025-52, insofar as they direct the petitioner to serve for a minimum period of two years from the date of joining at the place of posting.

¶2At the time of admission to the postgraduate degree course in Dermatology and Venereology, the petitioner had executed a bond undertaking to serve the Government of Tamil Nadu for a period of two years. The petitioner completed the postgraduate course in October 2025, and thereafter, the third respondent issued the impugned proceedings.

¶3The contention of the petitioner is that the condition requiring him to serve for a minimum period of two years from the date of joining at the place of posting is arbitrary and discriminatory, since he is liable to serve only for a period of two years from the date of completion of the course. In support of the said contention, reliance is placed on the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A. No. 799 of 2019 and connected batch, dated 06.10.2020.

¶4Mrs. M. Sneha, learned counsel appearing for respondents 1 and 2, fairly submitted that the period of two years has to be reckoned from the date of completion of the course and, therefore, the impugned order may be suitably modified to that effect.

¶5The submissions of the learned counsel appearing on either side have been duly considered.

¶6The facts narrated above are not in dispute. In the impugned proceedings, the petitioner has been directed to serve for a period of two years from the date of joining at the place of posting. However, the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No. 799 of 2019 and connected batch has categorically held that the applicability of the bond condition would be co-terminus with a period of two years from the date on which the candidate successfully completes the course, and would not extend beyond the same.

¶7Therefore, the petitioner is liable to serve under the Government of Tamil Nadu only for a period of two years from the date of completion of the course. To that extent, the impugned proceedings require modification.

¶8Accordingly, this writ petition is partly allowed, and the impugned proceedings dated 02.02.2026, insofar as they require the petitioner to serve for a minimum period of two years from the date of joining at the place of posting, are modified to the effect that the minimum period of two years shall be reckoned from the date of completion of the course, namely, from October 2025 to October 2027. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

08.04.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn To

1.The Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Deputy Director of Medical Education, Directorate of Medical Education, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010.

3.The Director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai - 600 006.

4.The Dean, Tirunelveli Medical College, No.3, High Ground Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.

W.P(MD)No.9621oofo2026 HEMANT-CHANDANGOUDAR,-J. skn Writ-Petition(MD)No.9621-of-2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.7661-to-7663-&-7665-of-2026

08.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 08.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Writ Petition(MD)No.9621 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.7661 to 7663 & 7665 of 2026 Dr.R.Raji Leela, D/o R.Ram Singh, No.C1/3, J.J.Ravi Nagar, Tiruttani, Tiruvallur - 631 209. .. Petitioner Vs 1.The State of Tami Nadu, rep. by its Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The Directorate of Medical Education, Rep. by the Deputy Director of Medical Education, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. 3.The Director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai - 600 006. 4.The Dean, Tirunelveli Medical College, No.3, High Ground Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the orders passed by the 3rd respondent under R.No. 1030512/ES/A4/2025-52 dated 02.02.2026 and to quash the same as unconstitutional as far the 2 years bond posting is concerned and further direct the Respondents 1 and 2 to direct the 4th respondent to return the (1) Original 12th Mark Sheet (2) Original UG 4 years Mark sheets (3) Original UG Degree Certificate (4) Original PG Provisional (5) Original PG Mark Sheets (6) Original PG Degree Certificate and all other original documents deposited by respective petitioner retained by the 4th Respondent regarding the Post-Graduation Courses of the petitioner respectively. For Petitioner : Mr.K.R.Laxman For Respondents : M/s M.Sneha for R1 and R2 Mr.N.Ramesh Arumugam Govt. Advocate for R3 and R4