WP No. 10154 of 2025 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 18.08.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR WP No. 10154 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.11388 of 2025 M.Arun The President, Puttuthakku Panchayat, Puttuthakku Village, Wallajah Taluk, Ranipet - 632 517. ..Petitioner Vs 1. The Inspector of Panchayats / District Collector Ranipet District, Ranipet- 632 401. 2. The Assistant Director (Panchayats) Ranipet District, Ranipet- 632 401. 3. The Block Development Officer (VP) Arcot Panchayat Union, Arcot Taluk, Ranipet- 632 503. 4. The Thasildhar Wallajah Taluk , Wallajah and Post, Ranipet District. … Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Declaration, to declare entire proceedings initiated against the petitioner pursuant to the notice in Na.Ka.A1/979/2022 dated 24.01.2025 issued under Section 205(1) of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 is without jurisdiction, null and void and unenforceable and consequently, direct the first respondent to refer the allegations made in the said show cause notice to the Assistant Director https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10154 of 2025 __________ Page2 of 5 of Rural Development (Audit) in terms of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Surcharge, Disallowance and Charge) Rules. * prayer amended vide order dated 18.08.2026 in W.M.P.No.12874 of 2025 in W.P.No.10154 of 2025 For Petitioner: Mr.S.Kamadevan For Respondents: Mr.C.Prabakaran Special Government Pleader for R1, R2 and R4 Mr.S.J.Mohamed Sathik, for R3 O R D E R The petitioner challenges the show cause notice dated 24.01.2025 issued by the second respondent under Section 205(1) of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as “the said Act”), and the consequential notice dated 14.03.2025 issued by the fourth respondent convening a meeting of the Village Panchayat. 2. The petitioner contends that the second respondent has no statutory authority or competence to issue the impugned show cause notice. Therefore, it is submitted that the petitioner is not required to submit a reply to a notice issued by an incompetent authority and that the present writ petition is maintainable. 3. Learned State Counsel submitted that the impugned show cause notice was issued by the Assistant Director of Panchayats on the instructions of the first respondent. It was further submitted that no prejudice has been caused to the petitioner and that the notice was issued in accordance with Section 205 of the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10154 of 2025 __________ Page3 of 5 said Act. 4. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials available on record. 5. An identical issue was considered by the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.2572 of 2024, decided on 03.12.2025. The Division Bench held that the State was unable to produce any notification issued by the Government empowering the Assistant Director of Panchayats to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Inspector under the said Act. It was further held that the Assistant Director of Panchayats is not of a rank equivalent to that of the District Collector and, therefore, no such notification could have been issued. The Division Bench also rejected the contention of the State that the defect was cured merely because the show cause notice was signed by the District Collector. 6. In view of Section 205 of the said Act and the aforesaid decision of the Division Bench, this Court is of the view that the impugned show cause notice issued by the second respondent is without statutory authority or competence. Consequently, the notice issued by the fourth respondent is also without authority of law. 7. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed. The show cause notice dated 24.01.2025 issued by the second respondent and the consequential notice dated 14.03.2025 issued by the fourth respondent are set aside. However, liberty is granted to the competent authority to issue a fresh show cause notice strictly in accordance with Section 205 of the said Act. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10154 of 2025 __________ Page4 of 5 8. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs. 18.08.2026 Speaking / Non-speaking order Neutral Citation : Yes / No Index : Yes / No mk To 1. The Inspector of Panchayats / District Collector Ranipet District, Ranipet- 632 401. 4. The Assistant Director (Panchayats) Ranipet District, Ranipet- 632 401. 5. The Block Development Officer (VP) Arcot Panchayat Union, Arcot Taluk, Ranipet- 632 503. 4. The Thasildhar Wallajah Taluk , Wallajah and Post, Ranipet District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 10154 of 2025 __________ Page5 of 5 HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR J. mk WP No. 10154 of 2025 18.08.2026 (2/2) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis