Lillies Mary v. The Principal Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 09.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 7295 of 2026 Lillies Mary ...petitioner Vs.

1. The Principal Secretary to Government, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Government of Tamil Nadu, Taramani, Chennai - 600 113.

3.The District Collector, Kallakurichi District - 606 202.

4.The District Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District - 606 202.

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5. The Child Development Project Officer, Thirunavalur Block, Kallakurichi District

6. Anthony Jeniva @ Jeniva Gracy ...respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to consider the petitioner for the post of Anganwadi Worker at the Maranodai-2 Anganwadi Centre in Thirunavalur Block, Kallakurichi District, or in any of the existing vacancies in the said Block or nearby areas (including but not limited Senchikkuppam (Kedilam), Deviyanandal, Madhiyanur, Kurumbur, and Iluppayur), in accordance with the recruitment notification dated 06.04.2025 issued by respondent No. 3, the 25% priority reservation for destitute widows under the ICDS Scheme.

For petitioners :

Mr. J.Prakasam For respondents :

Mr. R.U.Dinesh Kumar 1 to 5 2/7

O R D E R

This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To direct the respondents 1 to 5 to consider the petitioner for the post of Anganwadi Worker at the Maranodai-2 Anganwadi Centre in Thirunavalur Block, Kallakurichi District, or in any of the existing vacancies in the said Block or nearby areas (including but not limited Senchikkuppam (Kedilam), Deviyanandal, Madhiyanur, Kurumbur, and Iluppayur), in accordance with the recruitment notification dated 06.04.2025 issued by respondent No. 3, the 25% priority reservation for destitute widows under the ICDS Scheme."

2. The petitioner is a destitute widow residing at Maranodai, Senthamangalam Village, Ulundurpet Taluk, Kallakurichi District, with her three minor children. The petitioner has passed 12th Standard.

3. The petitioner would submit that the 3rd respondent had issued a notification for filling up the post of Anganwadi Worker and the 3/7

petitioner applied for the said post. The petitioner has also attended the interview on 31.05.2025, after submitting a prior representation for priority. The petitioner would submit that one Anthony Jeniva @ Jeniva Gracy, the 6th respondent herein whose husband is gainfully employed has been appointed at Maranodai 2 Anganwadi Center. Challenging the same, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.

5. The petitioner's contention that her candidature should be considered in the light of she being destitute widow cannot be countenanced for the simple reason that as per notification the post was to be filled up in a general category. The petitioner had acquired 20 marks under the head of residing near the place of work, 10 marks for having 2 girl children, 30 marks for her certificates and 15 marks for interview, totally securing 75 marks. On the other hand the 6th respondent had secured 20 marks for living close to the place of work, 40 marks for certificates, 45 marks for interview totally securing 105 4/7

marks. That apart, the 6th respondent has a disabled child.

6. Therefore, in the above circumstances no fault can be found against the respondents for having selected the 6th respondent and not the petitioner herein as both of them were competing under the head of general category.

7. In the result, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. 09.03.2026 kan 5/7

To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Government of Tamil Nadu, Taramani, Chennai - 600 113.

3.The District Collector, Kallakurichi District - 606 202.

4.The District Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District - 606 202.

5. The Child Development Project Officer, Thirunavalur Block, Kallakurichi District 6/7

P.T. ASHA, J kan 09.03.2026 7/7