Nethra Nataraj v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED:19.12.2025 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.M.P.Nos.55585 & 55587 of 2025 Nethra Natraj ... Petitioner Vs 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Secretary, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

2.The Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

3.The District Collector, Collector Office, Krishnagiri District.

... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 3rd respondent, pertaining to the Notification No.24817/2025/M3 dated 09/102025 issued for direct recruitment to the post for Village Panchayat Secretary and quash the same and consequentially direct the respondents to reissue the notification with transparent guidelines and recruitment process. 1/6

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Anil Kumar For Respondents : Mr.P.Balathandautham, Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed challenging the recruitment notification issued by the 3rd respondent, inviting applications from candidates across the state of Tamil Nadu for appointment to the post of Village Panchayat Secretary.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that she is an MBA Graduate and had applied for the post of Village Panchayat Secretary. She was under the bon fide impression that a call letter would be issued in due course. However, to her shock and surprise, the petitioner came to know that, interview had already been conducted and the selection process was completed. Aggrieved by which, the present Writ Petition challenging the said recruitment notification on the ground that the said notification is bereft of any material particulars inasmuch as it does not specify the recruitment procedure, prescribed qualification for the post or the reason for disqualification of the petitioner. 2/6

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the impugned notification is vague and is bereft of any material particulars and that the non-selection of the petitioner is without any basis thereby lacking transparency in the selection process. It was further submitted that the recruitment notification is contrary to the provisions of Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat Secretaries (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2024 and therefore, the impugned order suffers from the vice of illegality. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate orders.

4. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that filling up of the said post is governed by the G.O.Ms.No.113, Rural Development Panchayat Raj Department dated 13.09.2023 and that even the said Government Order does not contain any specific details with regard to the selection process. He further submitted that, in the absence of a prescribed selection procedure and the petitioner having subjected herself to the selection process cannot challenge the entire recruitment notification. If at all the petitioner has any grievance, the proper course open to her is to challenge her non-selection and not the notification itself. He further submitted that the interview as well as the selection process have already been completed and therefore, the recruitment process cannot be reviewed. Accordingly, he prayed for dismissal of the Writ Petition.

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5. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. Admittedly, the petitioner had applied for the post of Village Panchayat Secretary pursuant to the recruitment notification which is under challenge but she had subjected herself to the selection process. A perusal of the impugned notification reveals that the same was issued in consonance with the G.O.Ms.No.113, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department dated 13.09.2023. Though the notification under challenge does not elaborate the selection procedure in detail, the G.O which governs the notification itself does not prescribe any specific procedure for selection and therefore, the contention of the petitioner that the notification is vitiated on the ground that it is bereft of any material as to the selection process is unacceptable.

Further, the petitioner has not placed any materials to establish the violation of statutory procedure in the selection process and that the petitioner having subjected herself to the selection without any demur, cannot subsequently challenge the entire notification. In such view of the matter, the impugned recruitment notification cannot be interfered with. If at all the petitioner has any grievance, the proper course open to her would be to challenge the order of non-selection, if any, in the manner known to law by pointing out the arbitrariness or illegality.

7. For the reasons aforesaid, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.

19.12.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order Nhs To 1.The Secretary, The State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

2.The Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

3.The District Collector, Collector Office, Krishnagiri District.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J Nhs W.M.P.Nos.55585 & 55587 of 2025 19.12.2025 6/6