High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeDismissed
Geetha C.K. and others v. State of Kerala and others
Case / Petition Number:RP.No.502 of 2012 (H) in WPC No.6880/2011
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- A. M. Shaffique
- Judgment Date
- 2012-10-16
- Court Decision / Holding
- This review petition (RP Nos. 502/2012 and 855/2012) is dismissed. The Court directs that status quo be maintained till the Kerala Administrative Tribunal considers the matter; the registry is to send the files to the KAT. The order is a single‑judge decision by A.M. Shaffique, J.
- Final Disposition
- Dismissed
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- Geetha C.K.
- Latheef P.A.
- K.P.BABU KOLPURATH
- Sheeba R.
- Lekha P.K.
- M.U.REGHUNATH
- Sheeba Latha C.N.
- Mini K.K.
- Ambika K.T.
- Sarasa P.K.
Respondents
- Philmomina A.V.
- Gracy P.LD
- Varghese M.U.
- Rejitha M.K.
- Jaya C.R.
- Lakshmi C.S.
- Rukiya N.M.
- Beena Thattil P.
- Raji I.M.
- K.L.Bindu
- S.S.Rajani
- Omana P.A.
- Karthiyani M.A.
- Ajitha K.M.
- Laisa K.L.
- K.A.Unnikrishnan
- Sheeba P.P.
- Anitha P.K.
- Sheeba C.V.
- Lissy P.J.
- Sobhana M.K.
- Saraswathy A.K.
- Rajalakshmy P.G.
- Padmini P.G.
- Sindhu P.P.
- Sobhana K.V.
- Usha P.K.
- E.S.Valsala
- N.K.Rahmath
- Sunitha K.V.
- Joseph Pinhero
- Sheeja K.N.
- Sahanath K.S.
- Rahmath K.M.
- Vilasini T.K.
- Latha P.
- State of Kerala
- Director of Health Services
- Director of Medical Education
- District Medical Officer
- Principal, Government Medical College
- District Employment Exchange
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • Sri M.K.Chandra Mohandas
- • Sri K.K.Razia
- • Sri Shakti Prakash
- • Sri Sobby Thomas
Counsels for Respondents
- • Sri Kaleeswaram Raj
- • Government Pleader SMT. Lisha M.G
Case Synopsis & Summary
This is a review petition (RP No. 502 of 2012) arising from WPC No. 6880/2011 decided by this Court on 20 March 2012. The petitioners, hospital attendants employed at the Medical College and associated institutions, challenged the writ petition decision on the ground that the High Court had no inherent jurisdiction to entertain the matter under Section 15 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, since a notification for transferring cases had already been published. The petition is argued as a part‑heard matter, and the petitioners contend that the court should not proceed on merits in view of the statutory transfer and the Tribunal’s pending jurisdiction. The court agrees that the asserted lack of inherent jurisdiction applies, citing the principle later reaffirmed in Gopalan v. Government of Kerala (2012(3) KLT 17), and proceeds to review the judgment under the review petition regime. The order notes that some petitioners have already been reinstated or appointed, and, considering the overall circumstances, directs status quo until the matter is considered by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal. The matter is heard together with RP No. 855/2012, and, on 16 October 2012, the court dismisses RP 502/2012 with no further orders in RP 855/2012, directing the registry to transmit the files to the KAT. This is a single‑judge decision by A.M. Shaffique, J., and records the deletion of certain respondents by IA order dated 14.09.2012.
Provisions of Law Cited
Section 15 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985
Legal Doctrines & Maxims
- Inherent jurisdiction of the High Court
- Status quo
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The petitioners’ main argument is that, under Section 15 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, this Court lacks inherent jurisdiction to entertain WPC No. 6880/2011 in the face of a published notification transferring the cases; thus merits ought not to be reached. The matter was treated as part‑heard, but the jurisdictional defect requires the judgment to be reviewed.
Contentions of Respondents
Not explicitly detailed in the provided excerpt; the judgment centers on the petitioners’ contention of lack of inherent jurisdiction and the need to review the earlier order, with no separate substantive respondent arguments recorded in this portion.
Cited Precedents (1)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gopalan v. Government of Kerala | 2012(3) KLT 17 | Positive | The court notes that the position on lack of inherent jurisdiction is covered by Gopalan v. Government of Kerala, using it to reinforce its own reasoning. |
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Extracted Judgment Text
Exact text extracted from official judgment records.
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT:**
**THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.M.SHAFFIQUE**
**TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2012/24TH ASWINA 1934**
## **RP.No. 502 of 2012 (H) IN WPC NO.6880/2011 ----------------------------------------**
**AGAINST THE JUDGMENT IN WPC.6880/2011 DATED 20-03-2012 -------------**
## **REVIEW PETITIONERS:**
## **-------------------**
**1. GEETHA.C.K., CHAKKALATHARA HOUSE, EDAVANAKKAD P.O. ERNMAKULAM-682 202.**
**2. LATHEEF P.A. PUNCHAPADATH, CHERAI P.O., ERNAKULAM-683 514.**
**3. K.P.BABU KOLPURATH HOUSE, AYYAMPILLY P.O., 682 501.**
**4. SHEEBA R., VALAYIL HOUSE, HOUSE NO.10/980A, NEAR AMARAVATHY ROAD, FORT KOCHI-682 001.**
**5. LEKHA P.K. PURAKKATT HOUSE, CHERAI P.O., ERNAKULAM -682 514.**
**6. M.U.REGHUNATH**
- **MARANGATTUTHARA, MALIPPURAM P.O., ERNAKULAM-682 511.**
**7. SHEEBA LATHA C.N, CHULIKKATTIL HOUSE, KOVILAKATHUM KADAVU, PALLIPORT P.O., ERNAKULAM-683 515.**
**8. MINI K.K., KANNATHASARY HOUSE, JANATHA BEACH ROAD, CHERAI P.O., PALLIPPURAM.**
**9. AMBIKA K.T., KANTHAKKUDA HOUSE, EDAKKOCHI P.O., KOCHI-6.**
**10. SARASA P.K., PANACHITHARA HOUSE, MALIPPURAM P.O., KARUTHEDAM, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.**
- **BY ADVS.SRI.M.K.CHANDRA MOHANDAS**
- **SMT.K.K.RAZIA SRI.SHAKTHI PRAKASH**
- **SMT.SOBBY THOMAS**
**VK**
## **RP.No. 502 of 2012 (H) IN WPC NO.6880/2011 -------------------------------------------**
## **RESPONDENTS/1 TO 38 AND RESPONDENTS 1 TO 6.: --------------------------------------------**
**1. PHILOMINA.A.V., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**2. GRACY P.LD, HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II MEDICAL COLLEGE CHEST HOSPITAL, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU THRISSUR-680581**
**3. VARGHESE M.U., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II MEDICAL COLLEGE CHEST HOSPITAL, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU THRISSUR-680581**
**4. REJITHA M.K.., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II MEDICAL COLLEGE CHEST HOSPITAL, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU THRISSUR-680581.**
**5. JAYA C.R., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II MEDICAL COLLEGE CHEST HOSPITAL, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU THRISSUR-680581.**
**6. LAKSHMI C.S., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**7. RUKIYA N.M., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**8. BEENA THATTIL P., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**9. RAJI I.M., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**10. K.L.BINDU, HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**11. S.S.RAJANI, HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**12. OMANA P.A., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**13. KARTHIYANI M.A.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**14. AJITHA K.M., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**15. LAISA K.L., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**VK**
**RP.No. 502 of 2012 (H) IN WPC NO.6880/2011 ----------------------------------------**
**16. K.A.UNNIKRISHNAN, HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**17. SHEEBA P.P.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**18. ANITHA P.K., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**19. SHEEBA C.V.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**20. LISSY P.J.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**21. SOBHANA M.K.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**22. SARASWATHY A.K., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**23. RAJALAKSHMY P.G., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**24. PADMINI P.G., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**25. SINDHU P.P.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**26. SOBHANA K.V., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**27. USHA P.K., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**28. E.S.VALSALA, HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**29. N.K.RAHMATH,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**30. SUNITHA K.V., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
- **31. MENAKA K.C.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581. (DELETED)**
**VK**
**RP.No. 502 of 2012 (H) IN WPC. NO. 6880/2011 ---------------------------------------------**
**32. JOSEPH PINHERO, HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**33. SHEEJA K.N., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**34. SAHANATH K.S., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**35. RAHMATH K.M., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
- **36. MUMTHAS K.A., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581. (DELETED)**
**37. VILASINI T.K., HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**38. LATHA P.,HOSPITAL ATTENDANT GR.II, NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE MULANKUNNATHUKAVU, THRISSUR-680581.**
**39. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.**
**40. DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.**
**41. THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL EDUCATION, THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM-695 001.**
**42. THE DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER, THRISSUR-680 001.**
**43. THE PRINCIPAL, GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR-680001.**
**44. THE DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE REPRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE OFFICER THRISSUR-680001.**
- **RESPONDENT NOS. 31 & 36 ARE DELETED FROM THE PARTY ARRAY VIDE ORDER DATED 14.9.12 IN IA. 485/12**
- **R1 TO 5, 7 TO 30, 32 TO 35, 37 & 38 BY ADV. SRI.KALEESWARAM RAJ R39 TO 44 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT. LISHA M.G.**
**THIS REVIEW PETITION HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16-10-2012, ALONG WITH R.P. NO.855/2012, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:**
**VK**
**RP.No. 502 of 2012 (H) IN WPC NO.6880/2011 -------------------------------------------**
**APPENDIX --------**
## **PETITIONER'S ANNEXURE: A1**
**---------------------**
**ANNEXURE A1. COPY OF THE LETTER DTD 17.5.2010 SENT BY THE PRINCIPAL TO THE DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT OFFICER, THRISSUR**
**ANNEXURE A1(A). COPY OF THE REQUIITION FORM DULY FILLED BY THE RESPONDENT MEDICAL COLLEGE**
**RESPONDENT'S ANNEXURE : NIL**
**---------------------**
**/ TRUE COPY /**
**P.A. TO JUDGE**
**VK**
## **A.M.SHAFFIQUE, J**
## *** * * * * * * * * * * * ***
R.P.Nos.502 of 2012 in & 855 of 2012 in W.P.C.No.6880 of 2011 ---------------------------------------Dated this the 16[th] day of October 2012
## **J U D G M E N T**
R.P.No.502/2012 is the review petition filed against the judgment of this Court in W.P.C.No.6880 of 2011.
2. The main argument is that in view of Section 15 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, this Court lacks inherent jurisdiction to consider the writ petition and once the notification for transferring the cases had already been published, this Court ought not to have considered the matter on merits.
3. Though this case was decided on the basis that it was a part heard matter, apparently on a perusal of Section 15 and the concerned notification issued by the State Government, I am of the view that this Court had lacked inherent jurisdiction to entertain the matter. This position is also covered by the judgment in **Gopalan v. Government of Kerala** [2012(3) KLT 17]. In that view of the matter, there is no other alternative than to review the judgment. Accordingly, the judgment dated 20/03/2012 in W.P.C.No.6880 of 2011 shall stand reviewed.
R.P.Nos.502 & 855 of 2012
2
4. It is submitted by learned counsel for petitioners that by virtue of the judgment, the petitioners have already been reinstated or appointed in service and are continuing in service. In view of the fact that this matter is being referred to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal and taking into consideration the over all facts and circumstances of the matter, I direct status quo to be maintained till the matter is considered by the Tribunal.
Registry shall send the files to the Kerala Administrative Tribunal.
## **R.P.No.855 of 2012**
In view of the fact that orders had already been passed in R.P.No.502/2012, reviewing the judgment, no further orders are required in this review petition.
This review petition is hence dismissed.
(sd/-)
## **(A.M.SHAFFIQUE, JUDGE)**
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R.P.Nos.502 & 855 of 2012 3
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