IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 18-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and WMP NO. 11091 OF 2026,WMP NO. 11096 OF 2026 J.Packiaseeli ..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-09. 2. The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Secretary to Government, Finance Department, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009.

3. The Director of Elementary Education O/o.The Director of Elementary Education, College Road,Chennai- 600 006.

4. The District educational Officer (Elementary)

O/o.The District Educational Office, Tuticorin, Tuticorin District.

5. The Block Educational Officer O/o.The Block Educational Office, Tiruchedur Block, Tuticorin District.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 1st Respondent having reference Letter No. 11100 /Ele.Edn 1 (1) 2023- 1 dated 15.12.2023 and of the 5th respondent in proceedings having Reference No. Na.Ka.No. 1743/ A2/ 2025 Dated 07.01.2026 refixing the pay scale of the petitioners pay from PB 15600 - 39100 plus 5400 grade pay granted to the petitioner from 22.02.2009 notionally to the payscale of PB 9300 -34800 pus 4700 grade pay and ordering recovery of the excess amount of Rs.23,18,866 /- paid to the petitioner from 01.01.2011 and to quash the same as arbitrary and consequently direct the respondents to continue to pay the grade pay of Rs.5400 /- to the petitioner sanctioned vide June 2012 in the payband of PB 15600 -39100 plus 5400 with notional effect from 22.02.2009 and monetary effect from 01.01.2011.

For Petitioner(s): Mr. K.Chandra For Respondent(s): Ms. Mythree Chandru, SGP for R1 to R5

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for the following relief:-

“To issue a Writ of Certiorarified mandamus calling for the records of the 1st Respondent having reference Letter No. 11100 /Ele.Edn 1 (1) 2023- 1 dated 15.12.2023 and of the 5th respondent in proceedings having Reference No. Na.Ka.No. 1743/ A2/ 2025 Dated 07.01.2026 refixing the pay scale of the petitioners pay from PB 15600 - 39100 plus 5400 grade pay granted to the petitioner from 22.02.2009 notionally to the payscale of PB 9300 -34800 pus 4700 grade pay and ordering recovery of the excess amount of Rs.23,18,866 /- paid to the petitioner from 01.01.2011 and to quash the same as arbitrary and consequently direct the respondents to continue to pay the grade pay of Rs.5400 /- to the petitioner sanctioned vide June 2012 in the payband of PB 15600 -39100 plus 5400 with notional effect from

22.02.2009 and monetary effect from 01.01.2011.”

2. Heard the learned counsels on both sides and perused the materials available on record.

3. The issue involved in the present writ petition was earlier considered in a batch of writ petitions in W.P.No.12275 of 2024 dated 02.03.2026, wherein a similar relief was claimed. The learned Judge after hearing the arguments of both sides and discussing the relevant Rules and Government Orders in detail, had ultimately disposed of the writ petitions with directions. These directions are extracted herein below:

“85. In the result, all the writ petitions are disposed of with the following directions:~

i) The impugned order directing the fixation of the selection grade/special grade scale of pay at the first promotional level and 2nd promotional level is set aside to the extent that there shall be no recovery of amount, which has already been paid, from the petitioners ;

ii) Insofar as the petitioners, who have retired from service is concerned, no amount shall be recovered on the basis of the impugned order from the retiral benefits/pensionary benefits of the petitioners with regard to the amount already paid; iii) Insofar as the petitioners, who are still in service, no amount shall be recovered on the basis of the impugned order from the salary of the petitioners with regard to the amount