W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 and C.M.P.(MD)No.8522 of 2022 1.The Personal Assistant (Development) to District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. 2.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats), Radhapuram Panchayat Union, Radhapuram Post, Tirunelveli District. 3.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats), Manoor Panchayat Union, Manoor Post, Tirunelveli District. 4.The Special Officer / Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats), Kasthurirengapuram Village Panchayat, Radhapuram Panchayat Union, Radhapuram Post, Tirunelveli District. ... Appellants 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 Vs. M.Balasubramanian ... Respondent Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to allow the writ appeal by setting aside the order passed in W.P.(MD).No.10862 of 2022 dated 01.07.2022 on the file of this Court. For Appellants : Mr.S.Vinodh, Government Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.M.Saravanakumar JUDGMENT (Judgment of the Court was delivered by G.R.Swaminathan, J.) The State has filed this writ appeal challenging the order dated 01.07.2022 passed by the learned Single Judge allowing W.P(MD)No.10862 of 2020 filed by the respondent herein. 2.The respondent herein was working as Secretary of Kasthurirengapuram Village Panchayat. Vide order dated 01.10.2021, the 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 jurisdictional Block Development Officer suspended the writ petitioner from service. The reason for passing the said order was that the writ petitioner had allegedly campaigned in support of his wife in the local body election. The learned Single Judge interfered with the said order and directed the writ petitioner's reinstatement. Questioning the same, this writ appeal has been filed. 3.There is no need to go into the merits of the matter at all. Any order of suspension must serve a purpose. The order of suspension was made as early as on 01.10.2021. We are now in April 2026. More than 4½ years have elapsed. While an order of suspension is not deemed to be a punishment, prolonged suspension partakes a punitive character. Suspension should not be indefinitely continued. The case on hand would fall under the category of prolonged suspension. It becomes unnecessary considering the nature of the allegations made against him. 4.In this view of the matter, we decline to interfere with the order of the learned Single Judge and the writ appeal stands dismissed. The writ petitioner shall be reinstated in service forthwith and without any 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 delay. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (G.R.S. J.,) & (S.S.Y. J.,) 24.04.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No ias To: 1.The Personal Assistant (Development) to District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. 2.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats), Radhapuram Panchayat Union, Radhapuram Post, Tirunelveli District. 3.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats), Manoor Panchayat Union, Manoor Post, Tirunelveli District. 4.The Special Officer / Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats), Kasthurirengapuram Village Panchayat, Radhapuram Panchayat Union, Radhapuram Post, Tirunelveli District. 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J. and S.SRIMATHY , J. ias W.A.(MD)No.1057 of 2022 24.04.2026 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis