- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:18664 WP No. 20952 of 2021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF JUNE, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 20952 OF 2021 (S-RES) BETWEEN: SMT. VEENA H T W/O DINESH KUMAR AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS R/AT AIRAVALLI VILLAGE BELLUR TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT-573 115 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MANJUNATH S.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPT OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT GOVT OF KARNATAKA M S BUILDING DR B R AMBEDKAR BUILDING BANGALORE 560 001. 2. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPT OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT SAMPIGE ROAD, 4TH CROSS NO.455 K R PURAM, HASSAN 573 201. 3. MANJULA B P AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS W/O RUDRESH R/AT AGASARAHALLI VILLAGE Digitally signed by HEMALATHA A Location: HIGH COURTOF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:18664 WP No. 20952 of 2021 BELLUR TALUK HASSAN DISTRICT 573 11 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.BHOJEGONDA T KOLLER AGA. FOR R1: R2 & R3 ARE SERVED ) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER NO: G¤ºÁ/L¹R/CAT/ªÀIÁ/2020-21/1021 DATED 04.12.2020 PASSED BY THE R2, PRODUCED AT ANNEXURE-F AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD ORAL ORDER 1. In this writ petition, the petitioner has called in question the order dated 04.12.2020 passed by respondent No.2 vide Annexure-F, whereby the respondent No.3 has been appointed as Anganawadi Worker, Airavalli Village, Belur Taluk, Hassan District. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Advocate for respondent No.1. 3. The petitioner herein is a resident of Airavalli Village, Hassan District. She was appointed as an Anganawadi - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:18664 WP No. 20952 of 2021 Helper at Airavalli Anganawadi Cetnre, Airavalli Village, by order dated 13.12.2017 vide Annexure-A. Later, the post of Anganawadi Worker of Airavalli Anganawadi Centre became vacant on 19.09.2020 due to the retirement of Smt.Suvarna. Thereafter, respondent No.3 herein has been appointed as Anganawadi Worker, Airavalli Village vide impugned order dated 04.12.2020 at Annexure-F. 4. As per the circular dated 23.09.2017 issued by the Government vide Annexure-B, in case of any vacancy created in respect of Anganawadi Worker in any Anganawadi Centre, preference has to be given to the Anganawadi Helper, who is working in the same Centre. The relevant eligibility criteria for the selection to the post of Anganawadi Worker as mentioned in the Circular dated 23.09.2017 at Annexure-B reads as under: “CAUÀ£ÀªÁr ¸ÀºÁAiÀÄQAiÀÄgÀ£ÀÄß PÁAiÀÄðPÀvÉðAiÀÄgÀ£ÁßV DAiÉÄÌ ªÀiÁqÀĪÀ §UÉÎ 1. CAUÀ£ÀªÁr PÁAiÀÄðPÀvÉð ºÀÄzÉÝ SÁ°¬ÄgÀĪÀ/ ºÉƸÀPÉÃAzÀæ ¥ÁægÀA©ü¸ÀÄwÛgÀĪÀ UÁæªÀÄzÀ°è ªÁ¹¸ÀÄwÛgÀĪÀ ¸ÀºÁAiÀÄQAiÀÄjzÀÄÝ, CªÀgÀÄ J¸ï.J¸ï.J¯ï.¹ GwÛÃtðgÁVzÀÄÝ PÀ¤µÀ× 3 ªÀµÀð ¸ÉÃªÉ ¸À°è¹zÀÄÝ, 45 - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:18664 WP No. 20952 of 2021 ªÀµÀð ªÀAiÉÆëÄwAiÉƼÀVzÀÄÝ, D CAUÀ£ÀªÁr PÉÃAzÀæ¢AzÀ 3 QÃ. «ÄÃ. ªÁå¦ÛAiÉÆüÀUÉ ªÁ¹¸ÀÄwÛzÀÄÝ PÁAiÀÄðPÀvÉð ºÀÄzÉÝUÉ Cfð¸À°è¹zÀÝ°è D CAUÀ£ÀªÁr PÉÃAzÀæPÉÌ PÁAiÀÄðPÀvÉð ºÀÄzÉÝUÉ ¨ÉÃgÉ C¨sÀåyðUÀ½AzÀ CfðUÀ¼À£ÀÄß CºÁ餸ÀĪÀ ¥ÀæªÉÄÃAiÀÄ«gÀĪÀÅ¢®è. ¸ÀzÀj ¸ÀºÁAiÀÄQAiÀÄ£Éßà PÁAiÀÄðPÀvÉð ºÀÄzÉÝUÉ DAiÉÄÌ ªÀiÁqÀvÀPÀÌzÀÄÝ. F §UÉÎ ²±ÀÄ C©üªÀÈ¢Þ AiÉÆÃd£Á¢üPÁjUÀ¼ÀÄ DAiÉÄÌ ¸À«ÄwAiÀÄ CzsÀåPÀëjUÉ ¥Àæ¸ÁÛªÀ£ÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¸À°è¹ C£ÀĪÉÆÃzÀ£É ¥ÀqÉzÀÄ DzÉñÀ ºÉÆgÀr¸ÀvÀPÀÌzÀÄÝ.” 5. In the impugned order dated 04.12.2020, it is very clear that respondent No.3, who was working as Anganawadi Helper at Agasarahalli Anganawadi Centre is now appointed as Anganawadi Worker, Airavalli Anganawadi Centre. Whereas, the petitioner is already working as Anganawadi Helper at Airavalli Anganawadi Centre. 6. Under the circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that the impugned order is passed contrary to the circular dated 23.09.2017 at Annexure-B. Hence, the impugned order is liable to be quashed. Accordingly, the following order is passed: - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:18664 WP No. 20952 of 2021 ORDER a) The writ petition is allowed. b) The impugned order dated 04.12.2020 passed by respondent No.2 at Annexure-F is hereby quashed. c) The respondent No.2 is directed to reconsider the appointment to the post of Anganawadi Worker of Airavalli Village, Hassan District, afresh and in accordance with law and as expeditiously as possible, not later than three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. All pending I.As., if any, are disposed of. Sd/- (H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD) JUDGE DM LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 43