A.Balammal v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 07.03.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN and WMP.No.8987 of 2025 A. Balammal ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector Collectorate Building Salem District.

2. The District Revenue Officer, DRO Office, Salem District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, RDO Office, Suramangalam, Salem District.

4. The Tahsildar Taluk Office, Asthampatti Kannakuruchi Main Road, Salem District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned order dated 11.07.2024 passed by the third respondent in ROC No.2035/2021/A1 suspending the petitioner from her service as Village Administrative Officer (VAO) at Thumbalpatti Village, Salem Taluk & District

and quash the same and consequently to direct the third respondent to reinstate the petitioner into service with all benefits. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Ramesh Kumar For Respondents : Mr.M.Shahjahan Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned order dated 11.07.2024 passed by the third respondent in ROC No.2035/2021/A1 suspending the petitioner from her service as Village Administrative Officer (VAO) at Thumbalpatti Village, Salem Taluk & District and quash the same and consequently to direct the third respondent to reinstate the petitioner into service with all benefits.

2. It is contended that a trap was laid on information received that the petitioner had demanded bribe amount of Rs.15,000/- for change of patta and the trap operation was successful and the petitioner was caught red handed accepting the bribe amount demanded.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petition relating to grant of patta itself was not a bonafide complaint. However the petitioner was placed under suspension for being caught red handed accepting bribe money. In this connection, FIR in Crime No.4 of 2024 had been registered by the Vigilance and Anti corruption Department at Salem. Investigation is still pending. At this stage, I am not inclined to revoke the order of suspension. Let the investigation be completed.

4. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed. 07.03.2025 dpq Index : Yes /No Speaking Order : Yes/No

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

dpq To

1. The District Collector Collectorate Building Salem District.

2. The District Revenue Officer, DRO Office, Salem District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, RDO Office, Suramangalam, Salem District.

4. The Tahsildar Taluk Office, Asthampatti Kannakuruchi Main Road, Salem District.

and WMP.No.8987 of 2025 07.03.2025