Chennai: A public interest writ petition has been filed in Madras high court challenging the decision of the Tamil Nadu govt in appointing four senior IAS officers as spokespersons of the state govt. The PIL, filed by M Sathya Kumar, contended that appointing civil servants to such roles lacks legal backing and risks mixing official govt communication with political messaging. He stated that the role of a govt spokesperson is not defined by law or supported by legislative authority.The petition further claimed that the move violates the constitutional mandate and undermines the principles of neutrality expected from public servants. It also alleged that the govt did not follow the due process of law and that the press release announcing the appointments cannot be considered a valid legal document. Calling the decision arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional, the petitioner requested the court to quash the appointments. The PIL is likely to be heard by the first bench of the court on Friday.He further submitted that there is no GO, statutory rule, or legally framed notification authorising the appointment of IAS officers as official spokespersons through a press release. Such appointments must be made through formal govt orders or statutory notifications issued under the relevant laws or through statutory delegations. Therefore, in the absence of any legal backing, the press release is administratively arbitrary and unconstitutional.
