IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 09-01-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN and WMP Nos. 404 and 405 of 2026 Mahalakshmi ..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The State Represented by Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Local Administration Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2. The District Collector-cum-Inspector of Panchayat, Collectorate, Vellore District.

3. The Assistant Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Vellore District.

4. The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat)

K.V.Kuppam, Panchayat Union, Vellore, Vellore District.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer: This petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, call for the records on the file of proceedings of the 2^nd respondent in (1) Na.Ka.No. A5/ 1917/ 2025 dated 24.12.2025, (2) Na.Ka. No.A5/ 1917/ 2025 dated 24.12.2025 and quash the same, and consequently, direct the respondents to restore and permit the petitioner to continue to function as the duly elected President of Sethuvandai Village Panchayat, K.V.Kuppam Panchayat Union, Vellore District with all statutory, financial and administrative powers For Petitioner(s): Mr.Selvam for Mr.S.Tamilselvan For Respondent(s): Mr.M.Shajahan, SGP (R1 to R3)

Mr.Chezhiyan, (R4)

O R D E R

Heard Mr.Selvam representing Mr.S.Tamilselvan for the petitioner, Mr.M.Shajahan, who takes notice for R1 to R3 and Mr.Chezhiyan, who takes notice for R4.

2. Mr.Selvam states that the writ petitioner/ President and Ms.Nakma Kalaichelvan, Vice President have been visited with a proceeding under Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994. Simultaneously, an order suspending the cheque operating power of the Petitioner/ President and Vice President has been passed by the District Collector. Challenging the same, the present writ petition.

3. A perusal of the paper shows that the 2^nd respondent has exercised power vested in him under Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994. He has not exercised emergency power vested in him under Section 203 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994. He has relied upon a report of the Assistant Director (Panchayat), prior to passing of the order.

4. While Mr.Selvam invites me to go to the merits of the case, If I were to give any finding on the same, it will prejudice not only the petitioner, but also the respondents. The matter is still pending at the stage of show cause notice.

5. Hence, I am of the view that the petitioner may submit her explanation to the show cause notice issued by the District Collector. It is open to the petitioner to convince the District Collector that the payments, that have been made, were duly authorized and hence, the order dated 24.12.2025 suspending the cheque operating power is without any basis.

6. Mr.Selvam further adds that insofar as 205 proceeding is concerned, he has not been served with any documents sofar.

7. There shall be a direction to the District Collector to furnish all the records pertaining to the 205 proceedings on the petitioner and Tmt.Nakma Kalaichelvan, within a period of two weeks from today(9.1.2026).

8. The time limit for the petitioner to reply to the show cause notice will commence from the date on which the documents are served on her.

9. With the above observation, this writ petition stands disposed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed

09-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No Maya V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

Maya To

1. The Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Local Administration Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2. The District Collector-cum-Inspector of Panchayat, Collectorate, Vellore District.

3. The Assistant Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Department Vellore District.

4. The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat)

K.V.Kuppam, Panchayat Union, Vellore, Vellore District.

Dated : 09-01-2026