IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 22.01.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR R.Gajendran No.121, Adhikesavan Nagar

10^th Cross, Teachers Colony Extension Moolakulam, Puducherry – 605 010.

..Petitioner Vs

1. The Government of Puducherry Rep. Its Secretary to the Government (Education) cum Chairman Staff Selection Committee (Non-Teaching)

Pondicherry Engineering College Chief Secretariat Beach Road, Puducherry – 605 001.

2. The Chairman Pondicherry Engineering College Puducherry – 605 014.

3. The Member Secretary Director of Higher Technical Education Pondicherry Engineering College Lawspet, Puducherry – 605 008.

4. The Principal Pondicherry Engineering College Puducherry – 605 014.

5. R.Vishwanathan Junior Engineer Grade I (Electrical)

Pondicherry Engineering College Puducherry – 605 014.

6. The Registrar Puducherry Technologies University Pillaichavadi, Puducherry – 605 014.

..Respondents *R6 impleaded vide order dated 12.12.2025 made in W.M.P.No.53490 of 2025 in W.P.No.11632/2013 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the order No.PEC/Estt./E7/DPC/JE (Electrical)/2013 No.384, dated 01.02.2013 issued by the 4^th respondent and quash the same only to the extent it denies the petitioner, promotion to the post of Junior Engineer Grade I (Electrical) with effect from 06.12.2003, the date of his eligibility for promotion and consequently, direct the respondents 1, 2, 3 and 4 to adhere the year wise panel as per the Guideline of the Government of India and to promote the petitioner as Junior Engineer Grade I (Electrical) with effect from 06.12.2003 and as Assistant Engineer with effect 06.12.2006 with all the consequential benefits.

For Petitioner: Mr.S.Meenakshi For Respondents: Mr.R.Syed Mustafa Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3 & R6 Mr.Giridhar, for R5 R4 – Served – No appearance

ORDER

The petitioner calls in question the memorandum dated 01.02.2013, by which he was promoted to the post of Junior Engineer Grade–I (Electrical) with immediate effect.

2. This Court heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 and 6, and the learned counsel appearing for the fifth respondent.

3. The petitioner was initially appointed as Technical Assistant (Electrical) on 03.08.1987. He subsequently acquired a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in the year 2002. The grievance of the petitioner is that, upon acquiring the requisite qualification, he became eligible for promotion to the post of Junior Engineer Grade–I (Electrical) in the year 2002 itself. However, the respondents promoted him to the said post only on 01.02.2013, resulting in a substantial delay, to his detriment.

4. The respondents have filed a counter affidavit stating that the petitioner was promoted to the post of Junior Engineer Grade–I (Electrical) on a notional basis with effect from 09.04.2008. It is further stated that thereafter, by memorandum dated 25.08.2021, the petitioner was directed to discharge the duties of Assistant Engineer (Electrical) (In-Charge) with full responsibilities, as followed in the State Electrical Department, but without any additional financial benefits or monetary commitment. It is also averred that there was only one sanctioned post of Assistant Engineer (Electrical) and that the said post was held by an incumbent who continued in service and subsequently retired in the year 2022.

5. In view of the admitted position that a vacancy in the post of Assistant Engineer Grade–I (Electrical) arose in the year 2022, this Court is of the considered view that the case of the petitioner deserves to be examined for promotion to the said post. Accordingly, the respondents are directed to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Assistant Engineer Grade–I (Electrical), if he is otherwise eligible, by gra