IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HON’BLE SMT. JUSTICE T. MADHAVI DEVI WRIT PETITION No.1901 OF 2026 DATE : 22.01.2026 Between:

V. Shanthamma …Petitioner AND The State of Telangana & 3 others …Respondents

ORDER

In this writ petition, the petitioner is seeking to declare the action of respondent No.2 in issuing Show Cause Notice, dated

12.01.2026, as illegal and arbitrary.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development appearing for respondents Nos.1 to 4.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner had submitted that the petitioner was elected as Sarpanch of Mokila Thanda, Ranga Reddy District 14.12.2025 and that she took charge as Sarpanch on 22.12.2025. It is submitted that on 25.12.2025 a scuffle occurred amongst the villagers with regard to certain illegal constructions. Learned counsel for the petitioner had drawn attention of this Court to Newspaper reports with regard to the said incident. It is further submitted that due to political rivalry between the defeated candidate and the petitioner herein, false allegations are made that the petitioner’s son was responsible for the said incident and the consequently, the impugned Show Cause Notice dated 12.01.2026 has been issued.

4. It is further submitted that in the said notice, only ten (10) days’ time was granted to submit an explanation and that though the notice was dated 12.01.2026, it was received by the petitioner only on 17.01.2026 and immediately after receipt of the notice, the petitioner has submitted a detailed explanation/reply on 19.01.2026. The petitioner apprehends that without looking into the same, the respondents would pass a punitive order under Section 37 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018 (for short, ‘the Act’).

5. On the other hand, learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development submitted that the proviso to Section 37 of the Act provides that no order can be passed without giving an opportunity of hearing to the affected persons to explain their case. According to him, the reply submitted by the petitioner would be taken into consideration before taking any action.

6. Having regard to the submissions made by both the parties and since it appears that the allegations pertain not to any act of the petitioner herself, but to acts of her son and others, this Court deems it fit and proper to direct respondent No.2 to consider the explanation/reply dated 19.01.2026 submitted by the petitioner and thereafter take action thereon in accordance with law, after due verification and if necessary, by giving opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. Until such time, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this Writ Petition, shall stand closed.

_____________________________ JUSTICE T. MADHAVI DEVI Note:

Issue C.C. today Date: 22.01.2026 prat HON’BLE SMT. JUSTICE T. MADHAVI DEVI WRIT PETITION No.1901 OF 2026 Date: 22.01.2026 prat