Karuppasamy v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.M.P(MD)No.6546 of 2026 1.Karuppasamy 2.Shanmugavel 3.Palanivel Rajan 4.Kaliraj ... Petitioners vs.
1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tenkasi District.
2.The Project Director (Panchayat), Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
3.The Assistant Director (Panchayat).
Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
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4.The Block Development Office, Office of the Block Development Officer, Sankaran Kovil, Tenkasi District.
5.The President, Karivalamvandanallur, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District.
... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to remove the fifth respondent/ Village Panchayat President in accordance with Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 based on the first respondent's communication dated by considering the petitioners' representation dated 02.02.2026.
For Petitioners : Mr.V.Malaiyendran For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok (R1 to R3) Additional Government Pleader : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar (R4 & R5)
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioners have filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the first respondent to remove the fifth respondent/Village 2/8
Panchayat President in accordance with Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994, based on the communication of the first respondent and by considering the petitioners' representation dated 02.02.2026. 2.The contention of the petitioners is that they have filed the present Writ Petition in public interest alleging large-scale misappropriation of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) by the fifth respondent, who is the President of the Village Panchayat. According to the petitioners, the fifth respondent created fraudulent job cards in the names of relatives and ineligible persons, diverted wages, appointed family members in Panchayat schemes, fabricated bills and invoices, and misappropriated public funds through false claims relating to various works and expenses.
3.It is further alleged that the fifth respondent bypassed mandatory tender procedures, arbitrarily allotted works to his associates, and 3/8
failed to conduct Grama Sabha meetings as required, while forging records pertaining to such meetings. The Panchayat Secretary is also alleged to have colluded with the fifth respondent by approving false bills, thereby facilitating the misappropriation of substantial Government funds. 4.Though representations were submitted to the authorities and certain irregularities were acknowledged by the first respondent, no effective action has been taken. Hence, the petitioners seek appropriate directions, including the removal of the fifth respondent under Section 205 of the Panchayat Act.
5.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6.On perusal of the so-called report, it is seen that only a show cause notice has been issued in respect of certain alleged irregularities. At the stage of issuance of show cause notice, no vested right accrues to the petitioners to seek a direction from this Court for removal of the Panchayat 4/8
President.
7.For removal of a Panchayat President, a detailed procedure is contemplated under Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994. The Inspector (District Collector) must first be satisfied that there are grounds warranting action, such as wilful omission or refusal to carry out the provisions of the Act or abuse of powers. Thereafter, a notice in writing is to be issued to the President calling upon him to submit his explanation within the time stipulated therein. If the explanation is either not received or found to be unsatisfactory, the Inspector shall forward the notice along with the explanation, if any, to the Tahsildar for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Village Panchayat. The Tahsildar shall convene a meeting of the Village Panchayat in the prescribed manner for consideration of the notice and the explanation. The views of the Village Panchayat shall thereafter be forwarded to the Inspector. Upon receipt of the same, the Inspector may, in his discretion, either remove the President or drop further action. 5/8
8.In view of the above statutory procedure, when the matter is still at the stage of consideration pursuant to the show cause notice, the petitioners cannot, as a matter of right, seek a direction from this Court for removal of the fifth respondent.
9.Hence, we do not find any merit in the Writ Petition. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 25.03.2026 (1/2) NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 6/8
To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tenkasi District.
2.The Project Director (Panchayat), Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
3.The Assistant Director (Panchayat).
Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
4.The Block Development Office, Office of the Block Development Officer, Sankaran Kovil, Tenkasi District.
5.The President, Karivalamvandanallur, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 25.03.2026 (1/2) 8/8