WP/30491/2023 of Mudivarthi Anuradha, Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH on 10 February 2026

1. MUDIVARTHI ANURADHA,, W/O. CHADALAVADA VIJAYA KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, OCC- CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICER, I.C.D.S. PROJECT, VINUKONDA, PALNADU DISTRICT, R/O. SUNRISE APARTMENT, SYAMALA NAGAR, 3RD LANE, GUNTUR CITY, GUNTUR DISTRICT, A.P.

...PETITIONER AND

1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, DIFFERENTLY ABLED AND SENIOR CITIZENS, A.P SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI

2. THE DIRECTOR, WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT, JAMPANI TOWERS, AMARAVATHI ROAD, GUNTUR, GUNTUR DISTRICT.

3. THE REGIONAL JOINT DIRECTOR, WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD WELFARE, ONGOLE REGION, RAM NAGAR, ONGOLE, PRAKASARN DISTRICT.

4. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, PALNADU DISTRICT, NARASARAOPET.

5. THE DISTRICT WOMEN AND CHILD WELFARE AND EMPOWERMENT OFFICER, , NARASARAOPET, PALNADU DISTRICT, A.P.

...RESPONDENT(S):

The Court made the following ORDER:

1. This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief: <to issue any writ, order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondent authorities more particularly the Respondent No.1 in issuing the impugned Memo vide Memo No. 966617/Estt.A3/2019-8 dated 21.11.2022 by directing the Petitioner to pay 50percent of total misappropriated amount i.e., Rs.1,06,367.50/- even though the Petitioner did not commit any financial irregularities and denying the probation of the Petitioner in the regular cadre for the post of Child Development Project Officer as illegal, arbitrary, unjust and in violation of Article 14, 16, 21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India and consequently set aside the impugned Memo vide Memo No. 966617/Estt.A3/2019-8 dated 21.11.2022 and direct the Respondent authorities to declare the probation of the Petitioner in the regular cadre for the post of Child Development Project Officer as per her eligibility and merit and pass…=

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for the respondents.

3. The case of the petitioner is that while she was working at I.C.D.S. Project, Tenali, in the year 2018, the respondent authorities alleged that she had committed certain financial irregularities and consequently initiated disciplinary proceedings under Rule 20 of the A.P. Civil Services (CC&A) Rules, 1991 against her and another officer. It is the contention of the petitioner that, being a Child Development Project Officer, it was not her duty to maintain pay registers or cash books, as such responsibilities fall within the purview of the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), yet her name was included in the inquiry report without any justification. It is further submitted that though she had submitted explanations to the memos issued by the respondents, the same were not properly considered. It is also submitted that the petitioner is presently drawing a salary of about Rs.18,000/- per month and is unable to pay the amount sought to be recovered, particularly when she denies any involvement in the alleged financial irregularities. It is further submitted that though the co- delinquent officer has paid his share of the amount, the representations submitted by the petitioner seeking reconsideration have not been acted upon by the authorities. It is contended that the responsibility, if any, lies with the Drawing and Disbursing Officer and that the recovery proceedings were initiated without proper consideration of the petitioner’s explanations, while her probation has also been withheld without any justification. Hence, the present writ petition.

4. Considering the above submissions, this Court is not inclined to go into the merits of the case at this stage. On perusal of the material on record, it is noticed that the petitioner has already submitted a representation to the 1st respondent dated 25.09.2023 seeking redressal of her grievance. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation/application submitted by the petitioner dated 25.09.2023 on its own merits and in accordance with law, and pass appropriate orders thereon, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, if required. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of three (03) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs.

Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions, if any, pending in the writ petition shall stand closed.

________________________ JUSTICE D RAMESH 11.02.2026

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THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH

WRIT PETITION NO: 30491/2023

11.02.2026 klk