Puja Kumari v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.8499 of 2025 ====================================================== Puja Kumari Wife of Mukesh Kumar Resident of Village- Lasakaripur, P.S.- Kanti, District- Muzaffarpur.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Govt. of Bihar, Patna.

2.

The Commissioner, Tirhut Division, Muzaffarpur. 3.

The Director, I.C.D.S., Bihar, Patna.

4.

The District Magistrate, Muzaffarpur.

5.

The District Program Officer, Muzaffarpur.

6.

The Child Development Program Officer, Kanti, Muzaffarpur. 7.

Gayatri Kumari, Wife of Anil Kumar Resident of Village- Lasakaripur, Ward No.- 09, P.S.- Kanti, District- Muzaffarpur.

... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Yugal Kishore, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Sanjay Kumar, AC to GP-23 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DR. ANSHUMAN ORAL ORDER 18-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

2. The present writ petition has been filed for setting aside the order dated 25.04.2025 (Annexure- P/5), passed by the District Program Officer, Muzaffarpur (respondent No. 5).

3. Learned counsel for the State has raised a preliminary objection and submits that the order passed by the District Program Officer is challengeable before the concerned Collector, but the petitioner has directly preferred the present writ petition instead of challenging the order before the Collector.

Patna High Court CWJC No.8499 of 2025(2) dt.18-04-2026 2/2

4. It transpires to this Court that the grievance of the petitioner has been raised under the Anganwadi Sevika/Sahayika Appointment Guidelines, 2016, and according to Rule 13 of the said Guidelines, the order passed by the D.P.O. is challengeable before the District Magistrate within 30 days.

5. In this view of the matter, the present writ petition stands disposed of, granting liberty to the petitioner to challenge the order dated 25.04.2025 (Annexure P/5), passed by the District Programme Officer, Muzaffarpur (respondent No. 5), before the District Magistrate, Muzaffarpur (respondent No. 4) within 30 days from today.

6. It is made clear that the period of limitation has already lapsed, but in the interest of justice, liberty is hereby granted to the petitioner that, if the petitioner prefers an appeal within 30 days from today, then the Appellate Court shall condone the delay and pass order on merits after hearing all concerned.

(Dr. Anshuman, J.) Aman Kumar/- U