Gr swaminathan judge /I am shocked to note that the officials are so casual. Though in contempt proceedings, statutory notice can be straightaway issued, we rarely do so. We call upon the Government Counsel to state their position. We, however, expect the officials to be ready with instructions

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30-07-2026
CORAM
THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE G. R. SWAMINATHAN
CONT P No. 2714 of 2026
AND SUB APPL NO. 836 OF 2026
Dr.Senthilkumar, S/o.Arumugam,
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
(Regn. No.3546/ 2009)
Nethaji Nagar, 5th Cross Street, Vengikkal, Thiruvannamalai- 606 604.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. Tmt. Anu George, IAS., and 4 others
Secretary to Government,
Government of Tamil Nadu
Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009.
2. Thiru. S.P.Amrith, I.A.S.,
Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary
Services,
Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
Department Office Complex, Veterinary Hospital Compound, Nandanam, Chennai- 600 035.
3. Dr. M.Hameed Ali, M.V.Sc.,
Additional Director,
Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
Department Office Complex, Veterinary Hospital Compound, Nandanam, Chennai- 600 035.
4. Dr. A.Balasubramaniyan, B.V.Sc.,
Regional Joint Director,
Animal Husbandry Department, Thiruvannamalai Region, Thiruvannamalai.
5. Dr. B.Murugan, B.V.Sc.,
Assistant Director,
Animal Husbandry Department, Thiruvannamalai Division, Thiruvannamalai.
..Contemnor(s)
For Petitioner(s): M/s.M.Purushothaman, N.Andal Sri Shankari, R.Ranganathan, S.Aravaanon
For Contemnor(s): Ms.Suganya,
Government Counsel
Order
The petitioner is holding the post of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in the
Department of Animal Husbandry Department. He was transferred from
Dindigul to Mallavadi, Thiruvannamalai District during June 2025. From
Mallavadi, Thiruvannamalai District, he was once again transferred to Thoothukudi District vide order dated 17.10.2025. Questioning the same, the petitioner filed WP No.42480 of 2025. The transfer order was stayed. It appears that the said interim stay order was not initially complied with. However, the petitioner was accommodated in the very same district. While so, yet another order was passed on 14.05.2026. Questioning same, WP No.20719 of 2026 was filed. Vide order dated 29.05.2026, I granted stay of the transfer order till 31.07.2026 in the presence of the government counsel representing the respondents. The writ petitioner now states that even though he submitted a request letter dated 09.06.2026 along with the medical certificates for rejoining, he was not allowed to do so. The petitioner’s salary has not been disbursed. Till date, the order of stay passed by this Court has not been complied with. That led to the institution of the contempt petition.
2.When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government
Advocate submitted that Thiru.S.P.Amrith I.A.S., was holding the post of Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services till 15.07.2026 when the incumbent Mr.H.Krishna Unni I.A.S took over. In my view, both these officers are answerable. The matter was taken up for hearing at around 02.10. P.M and even though I waited for close to ten minutes, the learned Government Counsel was unable to obtain instructions from the officials concerned. When the Secretary to Government is figuring as the first respondent, I am shocked to note that the officials are so casual. Though in contempt proceedings, statutory notice can be straightaway issued, we rarely do so. We call upon the Government Counsel to state their position. We, however, expect the officials to be ready with instructions. The petitioner ought to have been posted after the grant of interim order. In any event, I had granted interim stay only for a limited period. I express my displeasure over the conduct of the officials. Even though the government counsel tried her best to reach the officials over phone, the officials concerned were not available.
3.Counsel representing the Government ought to be ready with
instructions when the case is listed for “Admission”. They should reach out to the contemnors in advance. Only two courses of action are open. Either they should undertake to report compliance or offer some credible explanation for non-compliance. Mere seeking of adjournment would not suffice. Counsel should remember that in contempt proceedings, the majesty of the court is involved and their duty is to assist the court. The standing of the court goes down with each passing day of non-compliance.
4.Gone are those days when the very word “contempt” would send shivers down one’s spine. I remember a Senior Counsel telling me some twenty years back that during his younger days, court halls used to be jampacked during contempt hearings. Because they were a rarity. Compliance was the norm, defiance an exception. He lamented about the increase in filing of contempt petitions. The situation is now worse. When Justice Battu Devanand was here, His Lordship put the fear of god in the officials. Most of the Judges would close the contempt petitions once they report compliance even if belatedly done. Not so with Hon’ble Mr.Justice Battu Devanand. Even delayed compliance would not be condoned. Compliance must be strictly in consonance with the court’s order. No deviation was permitted, howsoever slight. I get a feeling that all of us must emulate the path shown by His Lordship.
5.Issue statutory notice to Thiru. S.P.Amrith, I.A.S., former Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and the incumbent Director Mr.Krishna Unni, IAS., Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Integrated Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries Department Office Complex, Veterinary Hospital Compound, Nandanam, Chennai- 600 035.
30-07-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
SKM
To
1. Tmt. Anu George, IAS., and 4 others
Secretary to Government,
Government of Tamil Nadu
Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009.
2. Thiru. S.P.Amrith, I.A.S.,
Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services,
Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department Office Complex, Veterinary Hospital Compound, Nandanam, Chennai- 600 035.
3. Dr. M.Hameed Ali, M.V.Sc.,
Additional Director,
Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department Office Complex, Veterinary Hospital Compound, Nandanam, Chennai- 600 035.
4. Dr. A.Balasubramaniyan, B.V.Sc.,
Regional Joint Director,
Animal Husbandry Department, Thiruvannamalai Region, Thiruvannamalai.
5. Dr. B.Murugan, B.V.Sc.,
Assistant Director,
Animal Husbandry Department, Thiruvannamalai Division, Thiruvannamalai.
G.R.SWAMINATHAN J.
SKM
CONT P No. 2714 of 2026
AND
SUB APPL NO. 836 OF 2026
30-07-2026