M.Jeyakumar, v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.03.2024 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR M.Jeyakumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai -20.

2.The Assistant Director, (Panchayat Unions), O/o.The District Collector, Madurai.

3.The Block Development Officer Thirupparankundram, Madurai-6.

4.The Special Officer, Vedar Puliyankulam Panchayat, Madurai-6.

5.Sundari, Former Panchayat President, W/o.Mr.Palanivelrajan, Vedar Puliyankulam, Thirupparankundram Taluk, Madurai District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation given to him on 25.09.2018 in person and initiate appropriate action against the then President of Vedar Puliyankulam panchayat during the period 2011-2017. For Petitioner : Mr.A.John Vincent For Respondents : Mr.N.Satheesh Kumar - for R1 to R4 Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble CHIEF JUSTICE] We have heard Mr.A.John Vincent, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.N.Satheesh Kumar, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent No.1 to 4.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the respondent No.5 is guilty of malpractice during her tenure as a President of the Panchayat. The free house sites that have been allotted to the members of the family twice. Illegal act was done by the respondent No.5 by appointing her husband as an employee of the Panchayat and there were more than 50 audit objections against her. No action is taken.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that it is not a case of dual allotment. Earlier, fresh house sites were allotted to the parents, however, subsequently, on account of their death or otherwise, the same house site was allotted to their legal heirs. No illegality is committed in that. It is further submitted that as far as the appointment of her husband is concerned, he was removed immediately and the salary paid to the husband is sought to be recovered by the respondent authorities. Out of 51 objections, 47 has been cleared and four are remaining and the enquiry of it, is in progress. The said enquiry will be concluded within a period of six months.

4. With these observations, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

[S.V.G., C.J.] [M.S.K., J.] 01.03.2024 Index : Yes / No RM

To 1.The District Collector, Madurai District-20.

2.The Assistant Director, (Panchayat Unions), O/o.The District Collector, Madurai.

3.The Block Development Officer Thirupparankundram, Madurai-6.

4.The Special Officer, Vedar Puliyankulam Panchayat, Madurai-6.

THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE and MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J .

RM 01.03.2024