Andhra Pradesh High Court
WP/22971/2026 of D LAXMI DEVI Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 11 August 2026
HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] WEDNESDAY, THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 22971/2026 Between: 1. D LAXMI DEVI, W/O M.G. KOWLUTIA, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, EX-ANGANWADI WORKER, R/O
APHC010424242026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
AT AMARAVATI
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
WEDNESDAY, THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST 2026
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY
WRIT PETITION NO: 22971/2026
Between:
1. D LAXMI DEVI, W/O M.G. KOWLUTIA, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, EX-ANGANWADI WORKER, R/O D.NO.1-16, KARIVEMULA
VILLAGE, DEVANAKONDA MANDAL, KURNOOL DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.
...PETITIONER
AND
1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, , REPRESENTED BY ITS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, DIFFERENTLY ABLED AND SENIOR CITIZENS
(WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD WELFARE), A.P.
SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI 522239
2. THE DIRECTOR/COMMISSIONER, , WOMEN DEVELOPMENT
AND CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT, JAMPANI TOWERS, AMARAVATI ROAD, GUNTUR, ANDHRA PRADESH 522006
3. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND CHAIRMAN, DISTRICT
SELECTION
COMMITTEE
FOR
ANGANWADI
WORKERS/TEACHERS
AND
AAYAS,
COLLECTORATE,
KURNOOL DISTRICT.518002
4. THE
DISTRICT
WOMEN
AND
CHILD
WELFARE
AND
EMPOWERMENT
OFFICER
/
JOINT
DIRECTOR,
(ICDS),
KURNOOL DISTRICT 518002
5. THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICER, , ICDS
PROJECT, ASPARI, KURNOOL DISTRICT 518347
6. THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICER, , ICDS
PROJECT, PATTIKONDA, KURNOOL DISTRICT 518380
...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 toissue an appropriate writ, order or direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondent No 5 and 6 vide endorsement No.WDC02-139- ICDS- WD and CW dated 15.07.2026, insofar as it rejects the Petitioners claim solely on the ground that petitioner is aged about 44 years against the maximum age of 35 years, and the action of mechanically applying the age clause in the notification/press note dated 04.08.2026 to the Petitioner, as illegal, arbitrary. discriminatory, unreasonable and violative of Articles 14, 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India and setting aside the said endorsement, consequently to direct the Respondent Nos 5 and 6 to consider the Petitioner's representation dated 10-11-2017 20.01.2020 y treating claim as one for restoration/re engagement anganwadi Worker 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 direct the Respondent Nos 5 and 6 to consider the Petitioner's representation dated 10-11-2017 20.01.2020 treating claim as one for restoration/re-engagement anganwadi Worker Pending disposal of the Writ Petition Counsel for the Petitioner:
1. ISMAIL SHAIK
Counsel for the Respondent(S):
1. GP FOR WOMEN DEV CHILD WELFARE
The Court made the following:
WRIT PETITION No.22971 of 2026
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ORDER:
1. The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the action of Respondent Nos.5 and 6 in issuing impugned endorsement vide Endorsement No.WDCO2-139-ICDS-WD&CW, dated 15.07.2026 and rejecting the application of the Petitioner, as illegal and arbitrary.
2. The Petitioner was initially appointed as an Anganwadi Worker in Anganwadi Center No.2, Karivemula Village, Devanakonda Mandal in January-2008. The Petitioner discharged her duties regularly up-to 31.05.2009, but, on account of paralytic attack, the Petitioner lost mobility and speech for a substantial period and was dependent on others. As the Petitioner was unable to attend her duties, the services of the Petitioner were terminated with effect from 01.07.2010. Thereafter, the Petitioner submitted a representation on 29.04.2017 to consider her case for appointment as Anganwadi Worker and as the said representation was not being considered, the Petitioner filed W.P.No.19839 of 2017 before this Court.
3. The said W.P.No.19839 of 2017 was disposed of on 21.06.2017, directing the Respondents therein to consider the representation of the Petitioner and to pass orders with respect to it. Thereafter, one M.
Haimavathi was appointed to the very same post of Anganwadi Worker vide proceedings, dated 09.05.2017 and the representation submitted by the Petitioner was rejected. As the said M. Haimavathi expired on 03.05.2026, the Petitioner again sought for appointment as Anganwadi Worker. At the same time, a notification was issued by the Respondents for appointment to the post of Anganwadi Aaya, Anganwadi Worker in Kurnool district. The Petitioner applied under the said notification, but, her case was not considered as she is aged 44 years. Hence, the Writ Petition came to be filed.
4. Heard the counsels.
5. The impugned endorsement, dated 15.07.2026, rejecting the application of the Petitioner on the ground that she was aged about 44 years, cannot be faulted. As mentioned above, Petitioner worked as an Anganwadi Worker at Anganwadi Centre No. 2, Karivemula Village, Devanakonda Mandal, from January 2008 to May 2009, i.e., until she suffered a paralytic attack resulting in loss of mobility and impairment of speech, leading to termination of her employment on 01.07.2010. However, as the Petitioner is now certified to be physically fit to discharge her duties as an Anganwadi Worker, the Respondents may examine the feasibility of appointing the Petitioner as an Anganwadi
Worker, independently of the recruitment notification. Therefore, this Writ Petition is disposed of, with the following directions:-
(i) The Petitioner shall submit a representation to the Respondent-Authorities, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
(ii) Upon receipt of the same, the Respondent- Authorities shall consider her representation and dispose of the same.
6. No order as to costs.
7. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY
Date: 12.08.2026 chs
WRIT PETITION No.22971 of 2026 Dated: 12.08.2026
chs