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Madras High CourtWP/6692/2026disposed of

K.V.Jothi v. The Child Development Project Officer (Cdpo)

2026-03-04Honourable Ms. Justice P.T. Asha4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and WMP No. 7271 of 2026 K.V.Jothi W/o. P.Venkatesappa Sethi, Kolathasapuram Alasanatham Village, Krishnagiri district.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Child Development project officer (CDPO) Hosur ICDS project, VPSC Building, 1st cross, Chennachandaram, Hosur Block, Krishnagiri district.

2. The District Programme Officer (ICDS) Office of the District social welfare Department, District Collectorate campus, Krishnagiri district 635 001

3. The District Collector O/o. District collectorate, Krishnagiri district 635 001

4. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal programme, Fort St.George, Chennai 09

5. The Commissioner for Integrated Child Development services (ICDS), No.1, Dr. M.G.R.Salai, Periyar Nagar, Taramani, Chennai 113

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned termination order dated 17.08.2023 issued by the 2nd respondent bearing Na.Ka.No. 1098/ A1/ 2022 and quash the same and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to reinstatement the petitioner. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.N.Krishna Moorthy For Respondent(s):

Mr.P.Balathandayutham, SGP

ORDER

The petition has been filed calling for the records relating to the impugned termination order dated 17.08.2023 issued by the 2nd respondent bearing Na.Ka.No. 1098/ A1/ 2022 and quash the same and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to reinstatement the petitioner.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that she was appointed as Mini Anganwadi Worker under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme in the month of April, 2018. While so, she was abruptly terminated from service based on a criminal case against her which is still pending, without issuing any show cause notice to the petitioner. Since the impugned termination order was passed without any show cause notice, aggrieved petitioner is before this Court.

3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

4. Since the termination order was passed by the respondents without issuing any show cause notice, without conducting any enquiry, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: (i) The impugned order shall be treated as show cause notice; (ii) The petitioner shall file her explanation to the notice within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on the receipt of the same, the respondents shall pass orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of four weeks therefrom;

(iii) Connected miscellaneous petition stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

04-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssa

P.T.ASHA, J.

ssa To 1.The Child Development project officer (CDPO) Hosur ICDS project, VPSC Building, 1st cross, Chennachandaram, Hosur Block, Krishnagiri district.

2.The District Programme Officer (ICDS) Office of the District social welfare Department, District Collectorate campus, Krishnagiri district 635 001 3.The District Collector O/o. District collectorate, Krishnagiri district 635 001 4.Secretary, The State of Tamil Nadu Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal programme, Fort St.George, Chennai 09.

5.The Commissioner for Integrated Child Development services (ICDS), No.1, Dr. M.G.R.Salai, Periyar Nagar, Taramani, Chennai 113 04-03-2026