Palkannan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 01.06.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN Palkannan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector Office of the District Collector, Theni District.

2.The Project Director District Rural Development Agency, 3.The Block Development Officer (V.P), Panchayat Union, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.

4.The Deputy Block Development Officer (Zone I), Panchayat Union, Andipatti, Theni District.

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5.The Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime), ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 06.02.2023 and to take necessary action in light of the proceedings/communication of the third respondent in Na.Ka.No.679/2023/B4 dated 06.03.2023 under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Susi Kumar For Respondents : Mr.D.S.Nedunchezhian, - for R1, R2 & R5 Government Advocate Mr.G.Suriyananth, - for R3 & R4 Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

The Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Mandamus seeking a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 on a 2/6

representation given by the petitioner on 06.02.2023, to take necessary action consequent to the proceedings of the third respondent / Block Development Officer, (V.P.) Panchayat Union, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District, dated 06.03.2023.

2. In the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, it had been stated that Thirumalpuram Panchayat, Andipatti Block, Theni District, work for 100 days is going on under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The petitioner and one Kayalvizhi are the spot incharge of the said scheme. They will have to take pictures of the workers. Each one will have to take 10 pictures of the workers. The pictures will have to be noted in NMMS application for the purpose of attendance. However, salary had not been credited to the account of the workers.

3. It had been stated that two individuals Arulmurugan and Menka, had hacked the said web-site and had uploaded the pictures of other persons who were not genuine workers and had misappropriated the salary amount. In this connection, FIR in Crime No.14 of 2023 had 3/6

been registered on 05.05.2023 by the District Crime Branch, Theni, under the provisions of the Information and Technology Act.

4. Since investigation is ongoing, no further directions can be given by this Court, except to place confidence that proper investigation would be conducted by the Investigating Officer in-charge.

5. With the above observation, the Writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

01.06.2023 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes/No NCC : Yes / No RM 4/6

To 1.The District Collector Office of the District Collector, Theni District.

2.The Project Director District Rural Development Agency, 3.The Block Development Officer (V.P), Panchayat Union, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.

4.The Deputy Block Development Officer (Zone I), Panchayat Union, Andipatti, Theni District.

5.The Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime), 5/6

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

RM 01.06.2023 6/6