Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 40963

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J
MANIKANDAN – Appellant
Versus
THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR / – Respondent
WMP NO. 27374 OF 2023 | WMP NO. 27374 OF 2023

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.K.Navaneetharaja
For the Respondents: Mrs.S.Anitha, Special Government Pleader for R1 to 5

Court may dismiss a writ petition as infructuous when the factual situation changes rendering the relief sought moot.

Headnote:The petitioner, a Village Panchayat Vice President, challenged the District Collector's order restricting his cheque signing power and transferring it to the 7th Ward Member. The Court considered whether the writ petition could proceed after the official respondents stated that the panchayat was now under a Special Officer and no longer managed by the panchayat union. The relief sought for issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus quashing the impugned order and restoring cheque signing power to the petitioner became infructuous. The Court framed the issue of whether the writ could continue when the factual situation had changed due to appointment of a Special Officer. The only relief now available is to dismiss the petition as the matter is no longer live.

Result: The Court dismissed the writ petition as infructuous and closed the connected miscellaneous petition with no costs.

Table of Content
1. introduction of writ petition facts and challenged order. (Para 1)
2. respondents submission on changed circumstances. (Para 2)
3. petition dismissed for becoming infructuous. (Para 3)

Order

This Writ Petition is filed against the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent dated 25.12.2022, whereby the Cheque signing power of the petitioner in his capacity as Vice President has been restricted and conferred the same to the 6^th respondent.

2. When the matter is taken up for hearing, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents submitted that now the panchayat union is presently not managing the affairs of the local body. It was further submitted that a Special Officer has been appointed to administer the affairs of the local body and therefore, the relief sought in the writ petition cannot be entertained as it has become infructuous.

3.Recording the submission of the learned Special Government Pleader, this Writ Petition is dismissed as infructuous. No costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

28-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No SK To

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 40963

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASKRISHNAN RAMASAMY, JMANIKANDAN – AppellantVersusTHE DISTRICT COLLECTOR / – RespondentWMP NO. 27374 OF 2023 | WMP NO. 27374 OF 2023

Court may dismiss a writ petition as infructuous when the factual situation changes rendering the relief sought moot.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J
MANIKANDAN – Appellant
Versus
THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR / – Respondent
WMP NO. 27374 OF 2023 | WMP NO. 27374 OF 2023