APHC010213942026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3208] THURSDAY, THE TWENTY THIRD DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH WRIT PETITION NO: 10855/2026 Between: 1. SANKRANTHI SARADA, D/O SRI CHANGAIAH AGED 36 YEARS, OCC. ANGANWADI WORKER (UNDER ORDERS OF TERMINATION) TUMMURU -1 AWC, NAIDUPET, NAIDUPET (M) TIRUPATI DISTRICT, AP ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE DISTRICT WOMEN AND CHILD WELFARE EMPOWERMENT OFFICER, TIRUPATI, TIRUPATI DISTRICT, AP. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND THE CHAIRPERSON, DISTRICT LEVEL SELECTION COMMITTEE TIRUPATI, TIRUPATI DISTRICT, AP 3. THE DIRECTOR, WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT GUNTUR DISTRICT, GUNTUR, AP 4. THE ADDL JOINT SECRETARY, TO THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT EXAMINATIONS STATE OF AP, MANGALAGIRI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, AP 5. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT BUILDING AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to grant appropriate relief more in the 2 nature of Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India declaring the Proceedings No.155/A2/2026, dated 24/03/2026 issued by the 1st Respondent as arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory, malafide, void and without jurisdiction, unconstitutional, violating Articles 14, 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India, apart from violating the principles of natural justice and set-aside the same and issue consequential directions directing the Respondents to forthwith reinstate the Petitioner and allow the Petitioner to continue as Main Anganwadi Worker with all consequential benefits, including arrears of salary etc., and also restrain the Respondents from filling up the post of Main Anganwadi Worker by appointing other candidates in place of the Petitioner by issuing Notification and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to suspend the operation of the Proceedings No.155/A2/2026, dated 24/03/2026 issued by the 1st Respondent herein with a direction to continue the Petitioner as the Main Anganwadi Worker, pending disposal of the Writ Petition. IA NO: 2 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents not to fill up the post of Main Anganwadi Worker by appointing other candidates by issuing the Notification to that effect, pending disposal of the Writ Petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. P V KRISHNAIAH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES II 3 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH WRIT PETITION NO: 10855 of 2026 The Court made the following Order: The present Writ Petition is filed aggrieved by the Order of the respondent No.1 dated 24.03.2026 wherein services of the petitioner was terminated. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Services-II. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that as the petitioner is working as Anganwadi Worker with regard to sanction issues, the respondents have issued Notice dated 03.02.2026, calling for explanation. Pursuant to the said notice, petitioner submitted written explanation dated 11.03.2026 through registered post and also annexed copy of acknowledgment before this Court. Surprisingly, the respondents, Proceedings No.155/A2/2026 dated 24.03.2026, have terminated the services of the petitioner with the following observations: “Consideration by the District Selection Committee: The District Selection Committee, after careful examination of the entire material on record, the verification report of the Director of Government Examinations, the non-submission of any explanation by the incumbent despite issuance of 4 Show Cause Notice, and the specific clause in the appointment order, the District Selection Committee unanimously resolved to approve the termination of services of Smt. Sankranthi Sarada, D/o. Chengaiah, Anganwadi Worker, Thummuru-I AWC, Naidupeta Municipality.” Emphasis supplied. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that despite there being petitioner’s explanation, without considering the same and also without considering the directions issued by the higher authority to conduct departmental enquiry, the respondent authorities have straightaway terminated the services of the petitioner. 5. This Court is of prima facie opinion that the respondents ought to have considered the petitioner’s explanation before passing the impugned termination order dated 24.03.2026. 6. Considering the submissions made, without going into the merits of the case, this Writ Petition is disposed of setting aside the Proceedings No.155/A2/2026 dated 24.03.2026 issued by the respondent No.1 and remanded the matter to the competent authority for fresh consideration and to pass appropriate order by giving due opportunity to the petitioner. 5 7. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Interlocutory applications, if any, pending shall stand closed. __________________ JUSTICE D RAMESH Date: 23.04.2026 PSA