V.R.Kanchana Mala, v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18-07-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE N.MALA V.R.Kanchana Mala, W/o.Ramalingam, Ex.President of Vepporpanchayath, Veppur Village, Walajpet Taluk, Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore.

2.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, Vellore District, Vellore.

3.Mr.S.Abraham Anbazhagan, Block Development Officer, Arcotpanchayath Union, Vellore District.

4.Tmt.Chitra,Deputy Block Development Officer, 5.Mr.A.V.Subramani, Deputy Block Development Office (Audit), 1/8

6.Mr.M.Thirumal, Assistant Secretary, Kizhminnal Panchayath, Arcot Panchayth Union, 7.Mr.T.Vasu, Assistant Secretary Pootuthakku Panchayath, Arcot Panchayth Union, 8.Mr.G.Kirubakaran, Assistant Secretary, Melkuppam Panchayath, Arcot Panchayat Union, 9.Mr.M.Saravanan, Assistant Secretary, Ayilam Panchayat, Arcot Panchayth Union, 10.Mr.M.Loganathan, Assistant Secretary, Sathiyavadi Panchayath, 11.Mr.S.Saravanan, Assistant Secretary, Kukkundi Panchayath, Arcot Panchayath Union, Vellore District.

2/8

12.Mr.Narayanan, Panchayath Secretary, Veppur Panchayath, Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a direction in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, directing respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 20.11.2017 and consequently direct the 4 th respondent to furnish the copy of the audit report of Veepur Panchayath Union from the years 2011 to 2016 and pass such further orders.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.E.Kannadasan For Respondent(s):

Mr.N.Naveen Kumar, Government Advocate for R1 & R2

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 20.11.2017 and consequently direct the 4 th respondent to furnish the copy of the audit report of Veepur Panchayath Union from the years 2011 to 2016.

2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is the former President of Veppur Panchayat, having served from 2011 to 2016. During her tenure, the 3/8

post of Panchayat Secretary was vacant, and the 12 th respondent was assigned the additional responsibility of Secretary on the directions of the third respondent. On 05.01.2017, the respondents 4 to 12 allegedly trespassed into the Panchayat office, took away records, cheque books, and passbooks without prior notice. Despite her immediate complaint to the third respondent, no action was taken. On 08.01.2017, the fourth respondent summoned her and forced her to sign incomplete audit documents under threat. Later, the fifth respondent allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 1,00,000/- to remove certain audit encumbrances, which was paid on instructions from respondents 3 and 4 but no action was taken afterward. During this period, the petitioner and her husband met with a road accident, leading to prolonged hospitalization. Following her recovery, she submitted multiple complaints to the authorities, including the first respondent, SP of Vellore, and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing, but no effective action was taken.

3. Learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner discharged her duties as Panchayat President without blemish and that the 4/8

actions of respondents 3 to 12 were unlawful and vindictive. He alleges that there were instances of unauthorized trespass, coercion, forgery, bribery, and deliberate inaction by the concerned authorities despite repeated complaints. He submits that despite multiple representations on multiple occasions, no action was taken, forcing her to seek legal remedy through this writ petition.

4. Learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 and 2 submits that the promotion of the petitioner was completed in the year 2016, and all relevant records have since been taken into possession by the 2nd respondent. He further submits that the present writ petition has been filed belatedly, with a delay of two years after the promotion process concluded in 2016, and that it merely seeks consideration of the petitioner's representation dated 20.11.2017. The petitioner also seeks a direction to the 4th respondent to furnish a copy of the audit report of the Veepur Panchayat Union for the years 2011 to 2016. In view of the above, it is submitted that nothing survives for further adjudication in this writ petition.

5/8

5. In view of the above submission made by the learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 and 2, nothing survives for further adjudication in this writ petition.

In the result, the writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. 18-07-2025 cda/dsn Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To 1.The District Collector, Vellore District, Vellore.

2.The Assistant Director of Panchayats, Vellore District, Vellore.

3.Mr.S.Abraham Anbazhagan, Block Development Officer, Arcotpanchayath Union, Vellore District.

4.Tmt.Chitra,Deputy Block Development Officer, 5.Mr.A.V.Subramani, Deputy Block Development Office (Audit), 6/8

6.Mr.M.Thirumal, Assistant Secretary, Kizhminnal Panchayath, Arcot Panchayth Union, Vellore District.

7.Mr.T.Vasu, Assistant Secretary, Pootuthakku Panchayath, Arcot Panchayth Union, 8.Mr.G.Kirubakaran, Assistant Secretary, Melkuppam Panchayath, Arcot Panchayat Union, Vellore District.

9.Mr.M.Saravanan, Assistant Secretary, Ayilam Panchayat, Arcot Panchayth Union, 10.Mr.M.Loganathan, Assistant Secretary, Sathiyavadi Panchayath, Arcot Panchayath Union, Vellore District.

11.Mr.S.Saravanan, Assistant Secretary, Kukkundi Panchayath, Arcot Panchayath Union, Vellore District.

12.Mr.Narayanan, Panchayath Secretary, Veppur Panchayath, 7/8

N.MALA J.

cda/dsn 18-07-2025 8/8