R.Sundararaji v. The District Collector And Inspector Of Panchayats,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 27.03.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD Writ Petition No.10684 of 2025 R.Sundararaji ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector and Inspector of Panchayats, Vellore District, Vellore.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Vellore District, Vellore.
3.The Block Development Officer (VP), Katpadi Panchayat Union, Katpadi & Post, Vellore District.
4.Radhakrishnan, President, Brammapuram Village Panchayat, Brammapuram & Post, Katpadi Panchayat Union, Vellore District - 632 014.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, Page No.1 of 7
praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to pass appropriate orders on the resolution No.572 dated 10.01.2025 regarding the change of cheque signing power/Joint bank operations of the Brammapuram Village Panchayat, Katpadi Panchayat Union, Vellore District followed by the representation dated 27.02.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Kamadevan For Respondents 1 & 2 :
Mr.E.Veda Bagath Singh, Special Government Pleader For Respondents 3 & 4 :
Mr.A.Harish, Government Advocate
O R D E R
The petitioner has filed this petition to direct the first respondent to pass appropriate orders on the resolution No.572 dated 10.01.2025 regarding the change of cheque signing power/Joint bank operations of the Brammapuram Village Panchayat, Katpadi Panchayat Union, Vellore District followed by the representation dated 27.02.2025.
2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is a Vice-President of Brammapuram Village Panchayat in Vellore District, challenges the inaction of authorities despite a High Court order restoring his cheque-signing Page No.2 of 7
powers, which the District Collector earlier withdrew based on specific financial irregularity allegations. He asserts that all expenditures were approved under pressure from the Panchayat President/fourth respondent and his son, who allegedly misuse power with political backing. While the petitioner successfully challenged the withdrawal of his statutory powers in W.P.No.31125 of 2024, this court's order has not been implemented. As the President did not contest the same order, it indicates his lack of interest in restoring joint bank operations. Therefore, the Panchayat passed a resolution on 10.01.2025 authorizing another member, N.Sangeetha, as a joint signatory, remains unacted upon despite representations. Hence, the petitioner seeks a Writ of Mandamus directing authorities to act on the said resolution and representation dated 27.02.2025.
3. Though many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice if this Court issues direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 27.02.2025 on merits, in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. Page No.3 of 7
4. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 & 2 has no objection for the said order being passed by this Court.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the limit relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 27.02.2025, after giving due notice to the petitioner as well as the fourth respondent, affording an opportunity of personal hearing, considering the documents filed by both the parties on merits, in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. This writ petition is disposed of with the aforesaid observation and directions. No costs.
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27.03.2025 vm Index :
Yes/No Speaking Order :
Yes/No :
Yes/No To:
1.The District Collector and Inspector of Panchayats, Vellore District, Vellore.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Vellore District, Vellore.
3.The Block Development Officer (VP), Katpadi Panchayat Union, Katpadi & Post, Vellore District.
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J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD,J.
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