C. Padmanabhan v. The District Collector And Inspector Of Panchayats
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09-04-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD Writ Petition No.13257 of 2025 C.Padmanabhan President, Ichiputhur Villgage Panchayat, Arakonam Panchayat Union, Ranipet District.
... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector and Inspector of Panchayats, Ranipet.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Ranipet.
3.The Block Development Officer (VP), Arakonam Panchayat Union, Arkonam & Psot, Ranipet District.
4.Muniyammal ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to pass appropriate orders on the representation dated 12.02.2025 regarding the change of cheque signing power/Joint bank operations of the Ichiputhur Page No.1 of 6
Village Panchayat, Arakonam Panchayat Union, Ranipet District. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Kamadevan For Respondents 1 & 2 :
M/s.R.L.Karthika, Government Advocate For Respondent 3 :
M/s.Mythere Chandru, Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
The petitioner has filed this petition to direct the first respondent to pass appropriate orders on the representation dated 12.02.2025 regarding the change of cheque signing power/Joint bank operations of the Ichiputhur Village Panchayat, Arakonam Panchayat Union, Ranipet District.
2. The case of the petitioner is that he was elected as a President of Ichiputhur Village Panchayat in Ranipet District in October 2021, faced allegations from a Ward Member, Ramachandran, instigated by the fourth respondent, of misappropriation of Panchayat funds. Although an enquiry by the District Collector in August 2023 found no irregularities, a seven-member committee was later formed to inspect the petitioner's works. The Page No.2 of 6
committee's findings prompted the issuance of a notice under Section 205 of the Panchayats Act in November 2023. Despite the petitioner submitting explanations in December 2024, no response was received. Meanwhile, the majority of Ward Members passed a resolution to authorize another member as co-signatory for financial operations, which was forwarded for approval. Subsequently, the Tahsildar scheduled a Panchayat meeting for February 26, 2025, which has been challenged in the pending writ petition. The petitioner has sent a representation dated 12.02.2025 regarding the change of cheque signing power, however the same was not considered till date. Hence, the petitioner has come forward with the present writ petition.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the third respondent has already conducted an enquiry on 01.04.2025 and forwarded the report to the first respondent, who is yet to pass orders on the same. Hence, he prayed this Court that direction may be issued to the first respondent to pass orders on the enquiry report forwarded by the third respondent.
4. Learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 & 2 Page No.3 of 6
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. Since the enquiry has already been conducted by the third respondent on 01.04.2025 and enquiry report was also forwarded to the first respondent, this Court directs the first respondent to pass orders on the enquiry report of the third respondent on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four 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.
09.04.2025 vm Index :
Yes/No Speaking Order :
Yes/No :
Yes/No To:
1.The District Collector and Inspector of Panchayats, Page No.4 of 6
Ranipet.
2.The Assistant Director (Panchayats), Ranipet.
3.The Block Development Officer (VP), Arakonam Panchayat Union, Arkonam & Psot, Ranipet District.
J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD,J.
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