W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 K.R.Raja ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Home (Prison-IV) Department, Government of Tamilnadu, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Department of Prisons and Correctional Services Tamilnadu No.6 EVR Maniyammaiyar Salai Egmore Chennai - 600 008. 3.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Trichy Range Race Course Road Kozhipannai Salai (Near SRM Hotel) Trichy - 620 023. 4.The DIG of Prisons and Correctional Services Office of the DIG of Prisons Madurai Range Madurai - 625 016. 5.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Madurai Madurai. 1/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 6.The Superintendent of Prison Special Prison for Women Madurai Madurai. 7.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Palayamkottai Tirunelveli. 8.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Trichy Trichy. 9.The Superintendent of Prison Special Prison for Women Trichy Trichy. ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to direct the respondents to implement Rule 23 and 24 of the Tamil Nadu Prisons Rules, 2024 by appointing the Superintendent (Correctional Services) and Superintendent (Training and Modernisation) at the Prisons Headquarters and fill the posts of Welfare Officer, Welfare Officer(Women) and Psychologist in the Prisons in Prisons in southern Districts of Tamil Nadu and ensure effective implementation of the statutory correctional and modernisation framework contemplated under the Tamil Nadu Prisons Rules, 2024 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Mohammed Yunnis Raja, for Dr.R.Alagumani For R1 : Mr.M.P.Senthil, Counsel for State of TN 2/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 For R2 to R9 : Mr.D.Venkatesh, Counsel for State of TN Assisted by, Mr.S.Arun Arockiasamy, Government Advocate (Crl.side) ORDER (Order of the Court was made by C.V.Karthikeyan, J.) This writ petition has been filed seeking to implement the Rule 23 and 24 of the Tamil Nadu Prisons Rules, 2024 by appointing the Superintendent (Correctional Services) and Superintendent (Training and Modernisation) at the Prisons Headquarters and fill the posts of Welfare Officer, Welfare Officer(Women) and Psychologist in the Prisons. 2.The post of Psychologist is very essential to address the mental health of every prisoner. It is required to address the resoluteness with which he would have had on commission of an offence, the anxiety which he will have about the nature of the sentence which he has to undergo, the trauma which he will have about the welfare of his family and others, and the fear which he will have of the victims once again coming back to take revenge on him. To address all these issues, a psychologist is required. Welfare Officers are also required in each and 3/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 every prison. There is no other option but for the Government to fill the posts of Psychologists and Welfare Officers in accordance with the Rules. We would grant six months time for the Government to examine and fill up the vacant posts of Psychologists and Welfare Officers. 3.There is also the post of Superintendent (Correctional Services) and Superintendent (Training and Modernization). These two posts require technical knowledge, particularly with regard to the infrastructure to be provided in every prison and to address and bring about the reformation of prisoners. With respect to the provision of amenities and modernization, it had also been impressed upon the Inspector General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Tamil Nadu, and also of the Union Territory of Puducherry, that necessary facilities should be provided for physically challenged prisoners. We are also informed that the Government of Tamil Nadu had allotted a substantial sum to provide welfare measures for physically challenged persons. 4.These two posts are optional, but we would impress upon the Government that they may prescribe a particular qualification for the posts of Superintendent (Correctional Services) and Superintendent 4/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 (Training and Modernization) at the Headquarters and endeavour to fill up the said posts. A decision in that regard may be taken within a period of six months from this day. 5.Recording as above, this writ petition stands closed with liberty to the petitioner to come back, if required, after the period of six months, if the directions are not complied with. There shall be no order as to costs. [C.V.K., J.] & [R.S.V., J.] 06.07.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes GNS To 1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Home (Prison-IV) Department, Government of Tamilnadu, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Department of Prisons and Correctional Services Tamilnadu No.6 EVR Maniyammaiyar Salai Egmore Chennai - 600 008. 5/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 3.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Trichy Range Race Course Road Kozhipannai Salai (Near SRM Hotel) Trichy - 620 023. 4.The DIG of Prisons and Correctional Services Office of the DIG of Prisons Madurai Range Madurai - 625 016. 5.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Madurai Madurai. 6.The Superintendent of Prison Special Prison for Women Madurai Madurai. 7.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Palayamkottai Tirunelveli. 8.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Trichy Trichy. 9.The Superintendent of Prison Special Prison for Women Trichy Trichy. 6/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J and R. SAKTHIVEL, J GNS W.P.(MD)No.16267 of 2026 06.07.2026 7/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis