Discrimination in granting benefits to similarly placed persons violates principles of equality.

ORDER :

S. Srimathy, J.

The present writ petition has been filed for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to provide the monetary benefits and arrears under Career Advancement Scheme to the petitioners in tune with the order passed by this Court in W.P. (MD).No.22547 of 2024 dated 23.09.2024 and confirmed by the Hon'ble Division Bench by order dated 11.07.2025 in W.A.(MD)Nos. 1875 of 2025 etc., within the time period stipulated by this Court.

2. The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the issue raised in this case has attained finality. Earlier, similarly placed person has filed W.P.(MD) No.22547 of 2024 and this Court vide order dated 23.09.2024, directed the respondents to implement their order dated 11.01.2024 within twelve weeks. Likewise, in another writ petition in W.P.(MD) No.23859 of 2024, this Court, vide order dated 04.10.2024, directed the respondents to implement the order dated 11.01.2024. Aggrieved, the respondents have preferred W.A.No.893 of 2025. The Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court, vide order dated 03.04.2025 held as follows:

“5.On perusal of the materials available on record, it is seen that the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) benefits were conferred upon the writ petitioner with effect from 07.12.2017 and the monetary benefits with effect from 01.08.2018 by the proceedings of the second respondent in RC.No. 7986/A2/2023-4, dated 11.01.2024 and the writ Court has rightly directed the second respondent to implement the order dated 11.01.2024. Hence, we are not inclined to interfere with the order passed by the writ Court, dated 23.09.2024.”

3. The Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court has dismissed the appeal directing the respondents to implement the order. Likewise, in another writ appeal in W.A.(MD) No.1875 of 2025 and batch, the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court, vide order dated 11.07.2025 referred the earlier order and directed the respondents to implement the order, against which S.L.P.(C) Diary No.31902 of 2025 was preferred and the Hon’ble Supreme Court, vide order dated 01.08.2025, has dismissed the same confirming the order passed by the Single Judge. Based on the cases filed by the similarly placed persons in W.P.(MD) Nos.23858, 23859, 23860, 23861, 23862 & 23863 of 2024, the Government has issued G.O.3(D) No.3, Higher Education (E1) Department, dated 02.02.2026 and implemented the same. Hence, now the petitioners are seeking a direction to extend the same relief to the petitioners.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, however, submitted that the said G.O. is applicable only to six persons, who had filed W.P.(MD) Nos.23858, 23859, 23860, 23861, 23862 & 23863 of 2024. The petitioners have filed the present writ petition only now. Hence, they cannot claim the same relief. The said statement is recorded.

5. Heard the learned Counsels on both sides and perused the records.

6. In view of the settled position of law and the fact that similarly placed persons have already been granted relief pursuant to the orders passed by this Court, as confirmed by the Hon’ble Division Bench and the Hon’ble Supreme Court, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioners' claim also requires consideration on the same footing. Though the respondents have contended that the benefit of the Government Order is confined only to the individuals who approached this Court earlier, such a stand cannot be sust