Suspension must be reviewed periodically after one year per regulations; court directs compliance.

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY and W.M.P(MD)No.6927 of 2026 J.V.Sivakumar ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Chief Engineer / Personnel, TNEB / TANGEDCO, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Superintending Engineer, Sivagangai Electricity Distribution Circle, TNEB/TANGEDCO, Maruthupandian Nagar, Sivagangai District. ....Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the Impugned Suspension Order in Memo No.000756/056/SE/SEDC/Aado/Adm.III/A.1/F.DP.Doc/2025, dated 05.02.2025 and consequential Impugned Rejection Order in Ka. No.

00813/MeaPo/SiMibava/Siva/Nia/Nimea/NiPi3/U.1/Ko.Marai/2026 dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 2nd Respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently directing the Respondent No.2 to revoke the Suspension and reinstate the Petitioner in any non-sensitive Post of Junior Engineer I Grade at Sivagangai in light of the guidelines issued under chapter - II, Section 2(3) of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Employees Discipline and Appeal Regulations and based on the G.O.Ms.No.81 (Human Resources Development) dated 04.08.2022.

For Petitioner : Mr.I.Pinaygash For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramanathan Standing Counsel *****

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to quash the impugned Suspension Order in Memo No.000756/056/SE/SEDC/Aado/Adm.III/A. 1/F.DP.Doc/2025 dated 05.02.2025 and the consequential Rejection Order in Ka. No.00813/MeaPo/SiMibava/Siva/Nia/Nimea/NiPi3/U. 1/Ko.Marai/2026 dated 18.02.2026 passed by the second respondent, and consequently to direct the second respondent to revoke the suspension and reinstate the petitioner in any non-sensitive post of Junior Engineer Grade I at Sivagangai, in light of the guidelines issued under Chapter II, Section 2(3) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Employees’ Discipline and Appeal Regulations and based on G.O.Ms.No.81 (Human Resources Development) dated 04.08.2022.

2. Mr. B. Ramanathan, learned Standing Counsel, takes notice for the respondents.

3. By consent of both parties, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission.

4. The petitioner was suspended on allegations of bribery; he was also arrested and a criminal case has been initiated against him. The petitioner was initially suspended on 05.02.2025, and more than one year has elapsed without revocation of the suspension by the respondents, hence the present writ petition has been filed.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner relied on the guidelines issued under Chapter II, Section 2(3) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Employees’ Discipline and Appeal Regulations, which read as follows:

“Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation From Er. C. Visalakshi B.E., M.I.E..

Superintending Engineer, Sivagangai Electricity Distribution Circle, Sivagangai.

To Personnel Officer / Disciplinary Proceedings, Establishment, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002.

Lr. No. 00813 / SE / SEDC / SVGA / ADM / Br.1 / Br.2/

F.Confidential/2026, dated: 18.02.2026 Sir.

Subject: Administration Vigilance Commission Thiru. J.V.Sivakumar, Junior Engineer (Electrical) Grade 1, Ilayangudi (Arrested by Vigilance Commission on 04.02.2025 afternoon for the offense of bribery) - Court judgment -

Providing information regarding current status - Regarding Reference: 1. Sivagangai V&AC, Cr.No. 01/2025. Dated:

04.02.2025.

2. Memo No. 000756/056/SE/SEDC/Adm/Adm.III/A.1/2025, dated: 05.02.2025.

3. Letter from Vigilance Cell, Chennai-2, 2110/B.13/B, 131/2025-1, Dated: 17.03.2025. Letter No.

4. Order of the Madras High Court Madurai Bench W.P(MD).NO. 20376 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD) Nos. 15771 and

15773 of 2025.

5.Lr.No.005643/0