Sreekuttan P.V vs State Of Kerala
2022 Latest Caselaw 2108 Ker

                IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
                                PRESENT
                   THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN
    THURSDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022 / 5TH PHALGUNA, 1943
                         WP(C) NO. 5420 OF 2022
PETITIONER/S:

     1     NANJAN M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. MARUTHAN, KOLAPPADI OORU, PALUR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678582.
     2     VELLIINGIRI V.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. VELLAN, UMATHAMPADI OORU, PUTHOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKA-678581.
     3     KUMARAN P.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           S/O. PONNAN, ARALIKONAM OORU, PUTHOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678581.
     4     KUMAR N.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           S/O. NANJAN, MELEMULLI VEEDU, CHAVADIYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
     5     SANTHOSHKUMAR M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. MANI, KALPETTI OORU, PALOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-678582.
     6     NANJAPPAN L.,
           AGED 40 YEARS
           S/O. CHINCON, GOTTIYARTHI OORU, PALOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678582.
     7     SIVAN A.R.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. RENKAN, THAZHEACHENNOOR, THAVALAM P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678582.
     8     GANESHAN C.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. CHATHAN, DHANYAM OORU, PALOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-678582.
     9     SUNIL K.,
           AGED 29 YEARS
           S/O. KAKKI, MELETHUDUKKI COLONY, CHINDAKKI, P.O.
           ATTAPPADI, PALAKKAD-678582.
    10     CHANDRASHEKARAN L.,
           AGED 29 YEARS
           S/O. LINCON, KADUKUMANNA, CHINDAKKI P.O., ATTAPPADY,
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   2

           PALAKKAD-678582.
    11     ANOOP K.,
           AGED 29 YEARS
           S/O. KAKKI, VITTIYOOR, THAVALAM, ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD-
           678582.
    12     PRAKASAN R.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           S/O. RAMAN, MELEMULLI, CHAVADIYOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    13     SUKUMARAN M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. MARUTHAN, NADUMOOLAKOMBU HOUSE, PUTHOOR P.O.,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD-678581.
    14     MANIKANDAN J.,
           AGED 38 YEARS
           S/O. JAYAN, AYYAPPANAGAR, PUTHOOR P.O., AGALI, ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    15     RAMESH K.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. KAKKI, PALAKYOOR HOUSE CHAVADIYOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    16     SELVIDA RENGSWAMI,
           AGED 38 YEARS
           S/O. RENGASWAMI, THACHUMPADI HOUSE, PUTHOOR P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    17     RAMESH M.,
           AGED 35 YEARS
           S/O. MANNAN, MELECHUNDAPETTI HOUSE, CHAVAYOOR P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    18     VELLINKARI K.,
           AGED 38 YEARS
           S/O. KANTHAPPAN, CHAVADIYOOR HOUSE, CHAVADIYOOR P.O.,
           AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    19     BALAN U.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           S/O. UMITHRAN, MELECHUNDAPPETI, CHAVADIYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD-678581.
    20     CHINNAN M.,
           AGED 43 YEARS
           MELEMULLY HOUSE, CHAVADIYOR P.O., PUTHUR, ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   3

    21     MURUKAN R.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           S/O. RANGAN, MELEBHOOTHAYAR, PALOOR P.O., THAVALAM,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD-678582.
    22     TULASI SUKUMARAN,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           W/O. SUKUMARAN, NAYANAMETTI HOUSE, CHAVADIYOOR P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678582.
    23     JYOTHIMANI,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           D/O. KALI, MELEMANIKANDI, PALOOR P.O. PALAKKAD-678582.
    24     THULASI MURALIDHARAN,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           W/O. MURALIDHARAN, PADAVAYAL HOUSE, PALOOR P.O.,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -678582.
    25     PAPPA SAMBATHKUMAR,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           W/O. SAMBATHKUMAR, PALOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -
           678582.
    26     SARASWATHI,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           W/O. RAMDAS, RAMDEV NIVAS, VELLAMARI, KOTTATHARA P.O.,
           AATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -678581.
    27     A.M. RENKAN,
           AGED 40 YEARS
           S/O. MURUKAN, THAZHEABHANNU, THAVALAM P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678582.
    28     VASANTHAMANI P.K.,
           AGED 28 YEARS
           D/O. KANNAN, PATTANAKKAL OORU, PUTHUR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678581.
    29     AMBIKA MURUKESHAN,
           AGED 35 YEARS
           W/O. MURUKESAN, PATTANAKKAL OORU, PUTHOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678581.
    30     NAGARAJ L.,
           AGED 38 YEARS
           S/O. LINCON, THAZHEANAVAYI, CHINDAKKI P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678582.
    31     ANEESHKUMAR K.,
           AGED 30 YEARS
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   4

           S/O. KURUMBAN, KADAKUMANNA OORU, CHINDAKKI P.O.,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -678582.
    32     RANI,
           AGED 35 YEARS
           W/O. PRAKASH, ELACHI VAZHI COLONY, CHAVADIYOOR P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    33     MURUKAN M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. MARUTHAN, THEKKUPARA OORU, PALOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678582.
    34     PANALI R.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. RANGAN, MELEBHOOTHAYAR OORU, PALOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678582.
    35     THULASI MURUKAN,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           W/O. MURUKAN, AISWARYA NIVAS, THAZEUMMATHAMPADI, PUTHOOR
           P.O., PALAKKAD-678581.
    36     LAKSHMI,
           AGED 40 YEARS
           W/O. MURUKESH, VIMALA NIVAS, PUTHOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678581.
    37     SANTHI,
           AGED 40 YEARS
           W/O. MURUKAN, PALOOR OORU, PALOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-678582.
    38     CHANDRIKA P.N.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           W/O. NANDHAN, MELEBHANNUR, THAVALAM P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678582.
    39     SAHADEVAN M.,
           AGED 46 YEARS
           S/O. MALLAN, GOTTIYARTHANDI OORU, PALOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678582.
    40     NISHAD K.C.,
           AGED 27 YEARS
           S/O. JANJAN, THADIKKANDU OORU, CHINDAKKI P.O., PALAKKAD-
           578582.
    41     NANCHAN,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           S/O. CHORIYAN, VISHNU NIVAS, PALOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678582.
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   5

    42     ANJULA P.N.,
           AGED 40 YEARS
           W/O. MOHANAN, PALAKAYOAR HOUSE, CHANADIYOOR P.O.,
           PUTHOOR, ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -678581.
    43     CHANDRAN,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           S/O. KALI, THAZHETHUDUKKI, CHINDAKKI P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678582.
    44     MURUGAN,
           AGED 34 YEARS
           S/O. NANCHAN, CHALAYOOR, CHAVADIYOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678581.
    45     CHITRA,
           AGED 34 YEARS
           W/O. RABHU, MELEMUNDI, CHAGADIYOOR P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678581.
    46     VELLY,
           AGED 45 YEARS
           S/O. PANALI, POTTIKKAL OORU, KALKKANDI P.O., ATTAPPADY,
           PALAKKAD -678582.
    47     KUNJAMMA M.V.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           W/O. KUMAR, AJITH NILAYAM, SWARNAPIRIVU SHOLAYUR,
           SHOLAYUR P.O., PALAKKAD-678581.
    48     SURYA RAVIKUMAR,
           AGED 39 YEARS
           W/O. RAVIKUMAR, VATTALAKKY, MATTATHUKKAD P.O., PALAKKAD -
           678581.
    49     RAJEWSWARY V.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           W/O. VASUDEVAN, KATHALAKKANDI HOUSE, SHOLAYOOR P.O.,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -678581.
    50     ANITHE NACHAPPAN,
           AGED 32 YEARS
           W/O. NACHAPPAN, PRIYA NIVAS, MELESAMBALCODE, AGALI P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678281.
    51     RADHAMANI M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           W/O. CHELLAPPAN, KULUKKUR HOUSE, MATTATHUKKAD P.O.,
           ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD -678581.
    52     REENA V.,
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   6

           AGED 35 YEARS
           W/O. VASU, MAZHAVIL VEEDU, KOODANCHALA, AGALI P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    53     RAJI R.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           W/O. SARAVANAN, KARAYOOR, KOTTATHARA P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678581.
    54     MURUKESAN K.N.,
           AGED 35 YEARS
           S/O. PONNAN, MAZHAVIL VEEDU, KOODANCHALA, AGALI P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    55     RANGASWAMY K.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           S/O. KAKKI, VFS 3RD SITE, KULUKKUR, MATTATHUKAD P.O.
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    56     RANGASWAMY K.,
           AGED 39 YEARS
           S/O. KALIYAPPAN, THEKKEKADAMBARA, SHOLAYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    57     CHANDRAMOHAN N.,
           AGED 34 YEARS
           S/O. VELLI, VARAGAMPADI HOUSE, SHOLAYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    58     CHITRAKALA P.,
           AGED 30 YEARS
           W/O. VENKITACHALAM, THEKKEKADAMPARA HOUSE, SHOLAYUR P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    59     RAJAN P.,
           AGED 30 YEARS
           S/O.PERUMAL, KOTTAMAL OORU, CHITTOOR P.., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    60     SURESH KUMAR S.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           S/O. SATHYAN, VARAYAPADY HOUSE, SHOLAYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    61     JYOTHI E.K.,
           AGED 30 YEARS
           W/O. RAVIKUMAR, MATTATHUKKAD HOUSE, MATTATHUKKAD P.O.,
           AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    62     PRAKASH V.,
           AGED 32 YEARS
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   7

           S/O. VELLINGAM, PRIYA NIVAS, VATTALLAKKY HOUSE,
           MATTOTHUKKAD P.O., ATTAPPADI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    63     N. MURUGESH,
           AGED 30 YEARS
           S/O. NANJAN, VFS QUARTES, 3RD SIRE, KULUKOORE,
           MATTATHUKKAD P.O., PALAKKAD-678581.
    64     PARVATHY K.K.
           AGED 45 YEARS
           W/O. RANGASWAMY, KRISHNA NITAS, KOTTATHARA P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    65     SOBHA B.,
           AGED 40 YEARS
           W/O. PAZHANISWAMI, CHORIYANUR HOUSE, KOTTATHARA P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    66     GOPAL P.,
           AGED 32 YEARS
           S/O. PARUMAL, MOOLAGANGAL OORU, SHOLAYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    67     JAYA K.G.,
           AGED 39 YEARS
           W/O. RAVINDRAN, CHERIYANNOOR OORU, KOTTATHARA P.O.,
           AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    68     RANKAN K.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           S/O. KONAN, CHUNDAKULAM OORU, CHITTOOR P.O. AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    69     THANKAMANI M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           W/O. RANGAN, KOTTAMALA OORU, CHITTOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    70     SELVI R.V.,
           AGED 38 YEARS
           W/O. RAVICHANDRAN, SANTHINILAYAM, KARAYOOR, KOTTATHARA
           P.O., PALAKKAD-678581.
    71     CHITRA S.N.,
           AGED 45 YEARS
           W/O. SUNDARAM, VISHNU BHAVAN, SHOLAYOOR P.O., PALAKKAD-
           678581.
    72     MANIKANDAN R.V.,
           AGED 41 YEARS
           S/O. CHINNA ARUMUGAN, SUMESHBHAVAN, VAYALOOR, SHOLAYOOR
 WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022
                                   8

           P.O., PALAKKAD-678581.
    73     SABITHA M.,
           AGED 36 YEARS
           W/O. RAJESH, ARCHANA NIVAS, CHUNDAKULAM OORU, CHITTOOR
           P.O., AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    74     SHYMA C.V.,
           AGED 42 YEARS
           W/O. SARAVANAN, ASWIN NIVAS, CHORIYANNOOR, KOTTATHARA
           P.O., ATTAPPADY, PALAKKAD-678581.
    75     PONNAMMA V.,
           AGED 39 YEARS
           W/O. MURUKAN, KULUKKOOR OORU, MATTATHUKKAD P.O.,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    76     RAJESH S.M.,
           AGED 30 YEARS
           S/O. SARASA, SHOLAYOOR HOUSE, SHOLAYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
    77     PRIYA V.,
           AGED 33 YEARS
           W/O. PONNAPPAN, VATTALALLY LEKSHAMVEEDU HOUSE,
           MATTATHUKAD P.O., AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    78     CHITRA R.,
           AGED 35 YEARS
           W/O. RAVICHANDRAN, KATHALAKANDI HOUSE, SHOLAYOOR P.O.,
           AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    79     MARUTHAMMUL K.P.,
           AGED 45 YEARS
           W/O. VISWANATHAN, KOTTATHARA HOUSE, KOTTATHARA P.O.,
           AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.
    80     MURUKAN V.R.,
           AGED 37 YEARS
           S/O. RANGAN, VEEHAPATHY HOUSE, SHOLAYOOR P.O., AGALI,
           PALAKKAD-678581.
           BY ADVS.
           RESHMI JACOB
           BOBY THOMAS
           PRIYADARSINI VINCENT


RESPONDENT/S:

WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF SCHEDULED CASTE/SCHEDULED TRIBE DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.

2 THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE SCHEDULED TRIBE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, VIKAS BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695033.

3 PROJECT OFFICER, INTEGRATED TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, ATTAPPADI, AGALI, PALAKKAD-678581.

OTHER PRESENT:

SR.GP.PREMCHAND R.NAIR

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24.02.2022 ALONG WITH W.P© NO.5519 OF 2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN THURSDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022 / 5TH PHALGUNA, 1943 WP(C) NO. 5519 OF 2022 PETITIONER/S:

     1     SREEKUTTAN P.V.
           AGED 43 YEARS

S/O. VELAYUDHAN, PUTHANVEEDUPARAMBU, VANIYAKKADU, MANNAM P. O., PARAVOOR, ERNAKULAM - 683 520.

     2     SHYLAJA K.
           AGED 43 YEARS

W/O RAJU, ABHIMANDHIRAM, KURIYOTTUMALA, VETTITHITTA P. O., KOLLAM - 689696.

     3     MERCY JOSEPH
           AGED 44 YEARS

W/O. M. C. JOSEPH, PUTHENPURACKAL, MELUKAVU MATTOM P. O., KOTTAYAM - 686 652.

     4     SANTHI DINESH
           AGED 39 YEARS

W/O. DINESH, PERUMBARA COLONY, MALAKKAPPARA P. O., THRISSUR - 680721.

     5     THARA MAHESH
           AGED 35 YEARS

W/O. MAHESH, THARAMANGALAM HOUSE, MACHIPLAVU P. O., CHATTUPARA, ADIMALY, IDUKKI - 685561.

     6     REBECCA RENJITH
           AGED 39 YEARS

W/O. RENJITH GEORGE, KAVIL, MELUKAVU, KOTTAYAM - 686652. BY ADVS.

BOBY THOMAS RESHMI JACOB PRIYADARSINI VINCENT

RESPONDENT/S:

WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF SCHEDULED CASTE / SCHEDULED TRIBE DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001.

2 THE DIRECTOR OFFICE OF THE SCHEDULED TRIBE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, VIKAS BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 033. OTHER PRESENT:

GP VENUGOPAL V.

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24.02.2022,ALONG WITH W.P(C)NO.5420 OF 2022. THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

JUDGMENT

Dated this the 24th day of February, 2022

The petitioners were appointed as Scheduled Tribe /

Health Promoters in various districts. They were appointed on

contract basis and the period of contract was renewed from

time to time. Thus, the petitioners continued as ST promoters

for almost 25 years. The promoters are to bring awareness

among the scheduled tribes about the beneficial schemes of

the Government and other agencies and ensure that the

benefits of the schemes and projects aimed for the welfare

and well-being of the scheduled tribe reach the actual

beneficiaries. The petitioners are aggrieved by the proposal

to replace them with new persons, for which purpose

applications have been called for under Ext.P2 notification.

2.Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that no

complaint had ever been raised against the petitioners and WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

the experience they have acquired over the years will go to

waste, if they are replaced with fresh hands. Such an action

would be to the detriment of the beneficiaries namely, the

members of the scheduled tribe communities. It is pointed out

that all the petitioners belong to the scheduled tribe and if

their services are terminated at this point of time, they will be

rendered jobless, as there is no scope for other employment.

3.Learned Special Government Pleader submitted that,

being contract employees, the petitioners have absolutely no

legal right to claim continuance of service or regularization.

Reliance is placed on the decision of the Honourable Supreme

Court in State of Karnataka Vs. Umadevi and others

[(2006) 4 SCC 1] and other authoritative pronouncements,

holding that contract, adhoc, daily wage employees have no

legal right to seek regularization. Learned Special

Government Pleader pointed out that on an earlier occasion,

another batch of scheduled tribe promoters had initiated legal WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

proceedings against their termination. The matter ultimately

reached the Honourable Supreme Court. The Apex Court

dismissed their Special Leave Petitions, leaving open the

liberty of the petitioners therein to participate in the selection

process along with others.

4. I do have sympathy towards the petitioners, but as

repeatedly held by the Apex Court, sympathy cannot be a

ground for exercising the jurisdiction under Article 226 and

directing regularization of the service of contractual

employees. Further, as revealed from Ext.P2 notification, the

petitioners are being replaced by persons from the scheduled

tribe communities itself. The qualification for appointment,

which at the time when the petitioners were appointed was

8th standard, has now been enhanced to 10th standard, with

exception for the weaker sections. As such the qualified

among the petitioners can compete along with the others in

the proposed selection. At any rate, the petitioners cannot WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

claim regularization or demand continuance in service for

reason of their contract having been extended from time to

time. Their right to continue is confined to the period under

the subsisting contract.

The writ petitions are dismissed accordingly.

Sd/-

V.G ARUN JUDGE

SJ WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 5420/2022

PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 29/12/2021 OF THE 2ND RESPONDENT VIDE FILE NO. SCSTDD- E2/136/2018-SCSTDD.

Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.E3-304/22 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 07/02/2022. Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION FILED BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 13/01/2022. WP(C) NOs. 5420 and 5519 OF 2022

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 5519/2022

PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 29.12.2021 OF THE 2ND RESPONDENT VIDE FILE NO.SCSTDD- E2/136/2018-SCSTDD.

Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.E3-304/22 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 07.02.2022.