Justice GR Swaminathan in his order noted that though contempt proceedings were a rarity in earlier days, there was an increase in the number of contempt proceedings in recent days. The court added that officials were not scared about facing contempt anymore.

“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 jam packed 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,” the judge said.

The court remarked that when Justice Battu Devanand was posted in the Madras High Court, he had not permitted any deviation from court's order and even refused to condone delayed compliance. The court remarked that Justice Battu Devanand had put the fear of god in the officials and other judges should also emulate the path shown by the judge.

The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Dr Senthilkumar who was holding the post of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in Department of Animal Husbandry. Senthilkumar was transferred from Dindigul to Mallavadi in Thiruvannamalai District in June 2025. He was again transferred from Mallavadi to Thoothukudi in October 2025. Questioning the same, he filed a plea in which the transfer order was stayed.

The court noted that though the interim order was not complied with, Senthilkumar was accommodated in Thiruvannamalai District itself. While so, another transfer order was passed on May 2026. Senthilkumar filed another petition challenging the order in which the court had stayed the transfer order till July 31, 2026. However, the court was informed that even after the same, the order was not complied with, Senthilkumar was not allowed to rejoin and his salary was not disbursed.

The court noted that when the matter was taken up, the Government Counsel was unable to obtain instructions from the officials concerned. The court expressed shock in the casual approach that was taken by the officials, even though the Secretary to Government was a respondent in the case. The court thus expressed its displeasure over the conduct of the officials.

“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,” the court said.

Thus, the court issued notice to the IAS officers.

Counsel for Petitioner: M/s. M. Purushothaman, N. Andal Sri Shankari, R. Ranganathan, S. Aravaanon

Counsel for Respondents: Ms. Suganya, Government Counsel

Case Title: Dr. Senthilkumar v Anu George IAS and Others

Case No: CONT P No. 2714 of 2026 AND SUB APPL NO. 836 OF 2026