Madurai Bench Orders Report on SC/ST Act Grievances Filed by Government Employees

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has taken a fresh look at a wave of grievances lodged by government staff invoking the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Justice B. Pugalendhi asked the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Department to prepare a report showing how many such complaints have been filed against senior officials over the last five years.

While hearing a petition filed by M. Jothivel of Tirunelveli, the court set a deadline of October 26 to receive the report. Jothivel, who was working as the Personal Assistant to the Chief Educational Officer (CEO), was suddenly transferred and posted as the headmaster of a government higher secondary school. He challenged the transfer, arguing that only the Joint Director of School Education had the authority to issue such an order.

The petitioner also hinted at a frosty relationship with the CEO, which, according to him, may have motivated the move. In response, the bench granted a temporary stay on the transfer, allowing Jothivel to report for duty – but expressly barred him from resuming his duties as the CEO’s PA until the October 26 hearing.

Concern grew when the CEO feared that Jothivel might weaponise the SC/ST Act against him. To pre‑empt any such misuse, the court summoned the Secretary of the Human Resources Management Department as an intervenor and asked for the detailed complaint data.

This step underscores the court’s effort to monitor the use of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in administrative disputes, ensuring that the legislation is not employed as a tool for personal vendettas while still protecting the rights of marginalized groups.