M.JEGAJOTHI Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a classic case of victimisation of a Headmistress, stated to be a spinster, on account of her refusal to comply with the direction of the Management of National Girls Higher Secondary School, Rasipuram, Salem, to promote the children of two influential persons. Even at the age of 74 and 16 years after retirement, this elderly person is still wandering in the corridors of this Court fighting against the mighty State and a highly influential Management of a private School. Brief Facts:

(2.) The appellant was initially appointed as B.T. Assistant in Nadar Saraswathi Girls High School, Theni, on 05 June, 1963. Subsequently, she joined National Girls Higher Secondary School, as Headmistress on 05 June, 1967. It is the case of the appellant that she refused to promote two girl students who are the wards of two highly influential parents, in spite of pressure exerted by the Management. The misunderstanding on account of the said incident prompted the Management to suspend the appellant from service, by order dated 18 June, 1977. The appellant was later removed from service, by order dated 13 Nov., 1978 with effect from 15 Nov., 1978. The order of termination was challenged by the appellant before the appellate authority. The appeal was dismissed. Thereafter, she filed a second appeal before the Sub Court, Namakkal. The appeal was allowed. The Management challenged the said order before the appellate authority as well as before the High Court in W.P.No.8184 of 1984. The appellant, on her part, filed W.P.No.98 of 1984 claiming arrears of salary from 18 June, 1977. The appellant filed another Writ Petition in W.P.No.11284 of 1985 challenging the order dated 26 May, 1983, permitting the Management to engage a Headmaster in her place. The Writ Petitions were dismissed by giving liberty to claim monetary benefits and other reliefs separately. The Writ Petition filed by the Management was dismissed as withdrawn.

(3.) The appellant, thereafter, submit a representation for regularisation of the period of suspension. The representation was partly rejected by the Director of School Education. The said order was upheld by the Government. The Writ Petition filed by the appellant in W.P.(MD)No.2950 of 2005 was dismissed by the learned Single Judge. Feeling aggrieved, the appellant come up with this intra-court appeal.