S.Sulochana v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09-09-2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN W.P. No. 34118 of 2025 S.Sulochana W/o. Saravanan, Vice President, Nadukuppam Panchayat, Marakanam Panchayat Union, Villupuram.
..Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector Villupuram.
2. The Assistant Director of Panchayat Villupuram.
..Respondents Prayer : Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to permit the petitioner to act as president in charge of the Nadukuppam panchayat, Marakanam Panchayat Union, Villupuram District pursuant to the representation of the petitioner dated 19.08.2025. For Petitioner:
Ms. Priyadharshini R.
For Respondents:
Ms. C.Meera Arumugham, AGP
ORDER
Heard Ms. R.Priyadharshini, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Ms. C.Meera Arumugham, learned Additional Government Pleader, appearing for the respondents.
The petitioner seeks for the following relief:
2. The petitioner was elected to the Nadukuppam Panchayat on 21.10.2021. She is the Vice-President. One Mr.Rajendran was elected as the President of the Panchayat. He passed away on 06.08.2025. The post of President having become vacant, the petitioner and four other members gave a representation to the respondents that the petitioner be appointed as the President. This representation was given on 19.08.2025. As no action was taken, the petitioner has come forward with the present writ petition.
3. When the matter came up for admission, Ms. C. Meera Arumugham, learned Additional Government Pleader, stated that the Panchayat has not convened for the purpose of passing any resolution authorising the Vice-President to act as the President. She adds, even if such a resolution is passed in her favour, that would have to be approved by the Inspector of Panchayat, namely, the District Collector of the concerned District.
4. The petitioner and co-members cannot call for the meeting. It has to be done by the concerned jurisdictional Block Development Officer-cum-Assistant Director of Panchayat. The tenure of the elected officers itself is going to expire shortly. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement of the Block Development Officer to convene the meeting at the earliest. There shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent to convene the meeting of the Nadukuppam Panchayat, Villupuram District within two weeks from today. The agenda for the meeting shall be to pass an appropriate resolution authorising the Vice-President to act as the President, on account of the untimely death of the President. The result of the meeting shall be communicated to the District Collector/1st respondent, who shall take appropriate action in this regard.
5. The writ petition stands disposed of with the above directions. There shall be no order as to costs.
09-09-2025 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No : Yes/No Note to Office : Issue order copy on 10.09.2025. Kj
V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.
Kj To
1. The District Collector Villupuram.
2. The Assistant Director of Panchayat Villupuram.
09-09-2025