S.Muthumari v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA and W.M.P(MD).No.24369 of 2025 S.Muthumari ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, 2.The Project Director, District Rural Development Authority, 3.The Special Officer/Block Development Officer, Kallanai Panchayat, Kallikudi Union, Madurai District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.09.2025 and take appropriate action to conduct fresh tender for the 16 works under the 3rd respondent within a time limit stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jegadeesh Pandian For Respondents : Mrs.S.Jeya Priya Government Advocate (for R1 & R2) Mr.P.Subba Raj Special Government Pleader (for R3)

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking the issue of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.09.2025 and take appropriate action to conduct fresh tender for the 16 works under the 3rd respondent within a time limit stipulated by this Court.

2. Heard the arguments of Mr.M.Jegadeesh Pandian, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mrs.S.Jeya Priya, learned Government Advocate, who takes notice on behalf of the respondents 1 and 2 and Mr.P.Subba Raj, learned Special Government Pleader, who takes notice on behalf of the third respondent. By consent of both sides, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that the third respondent had called for tender works at Kallanai Village Panchayat, in which, one Irulappan was 2/6

declared as successful bidder and he was issued with the work order. However, the said work order was subsequently cancelled. Aggrieved thereby, the said Irulappan preferred a statutory appeal before the first respondent and thereafter, filed W.P(MD).No.8912 of 2025. Meanwhile, the third respondent issued a fresh tender notification. The said writ petition was disposed of by directing the authority concerned to consider and dispose of the appeal filed by the said Irulappan, within a period of six weeks. Thereafter, the first respondent cancelled the tender called for by the third respondent on the ground of limitation. It is the grievance of the petitioner that she along with 52 contractors registered under the third respondent, was under the impression that the third respondent would call for fresh tender for the aforesaid works.

However, to her shock and surprise, the third respondent had issued work order to few contractors, without following the due procedure prescribed under the Act and Rules and without issuing any notice. Hence, on 22.09.2025, the petitioner sent representation to the respondents 1 and 2 in this regard. However, the same has not been considered so far. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court by way of the present writ petition.

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 and 2, on instructions, would submit that the representation submitted by the petitioner will be considered in accordance with law.

5. In view of the above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, the respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.09.2025 and pass final orders on its own merits, within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after issuing notice to the petitioner as well as other interested parties.

6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 04.11.2025 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Rmk To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, 4/6

2.The Project Director, District Rural Development Authority, 3.The Special Officer/Block Development Officer, Kallanai Panchayat, Kallikudi Union, Madurai District.

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P.T.ASHA, J.

Rmk 04.11.2025 6/6