K.Manikandaraja v. The District Collector

ORDER The petitioner is a resident of Ponnamangalam village, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District. He lodged a complaint before the Vigilance Department alleging that the Village Panchayat President, along with the Panchayat Secretary, had committed misappropriation by claiming to have constructed houses under the PMAY-G Scheme without actually constructing them. The complaint dated 29.10.2025, addressed to the Vigilance Department, was forwarded by the Vigilance Department through the District Collector, Madurai, in Petition No.14645 of 2025/RDP/MU, dated 10.11.2025, for conducting an enquiry at their end. Based on the communication of the Vigilance Department dated 10.11.2025, the petitioner also submitted a reminder to the District Collector on 11.02.2026. The grievance of the petitioner is that neither the Vigilance Department nor the District Collector had acted upon his complaint. Therefore, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to take appropriate action on his complaint.

2.When the writ petition was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) appearing for the District Collector, submits that based on the complaint forwarded by the Vigilance Department, the District Administration had appointed an Enquiry Officer to look into the allegations made by the petitioner in is complaint dated 29.10.2025. According to him, the Enquiry Officer found certain irregularities and filed a report stating that, out of 18 houses said to have been constructed under the PMAY-G Scheme, 8 houses had not been constructed at all, and one house had been constructed in a different survey number. Therefore, proceedings have been initiated against the Panchayat President and the other Revenue Officials, who had colluded in the commission of the irregularities. According to him, show cause notice were issued to the erring officials.

3.Considering the above development, namely, that the District Administration has already taken action by appointing an Enquiry Officer and initiating disciplinary proceedings against the erring officials, this writ petition is closed with a direction to the District Administration to ensure that further action is taken against all the erring officials in accordance with law. The District Administration shall also take appropriate steps to recover the amount misappropriated from the persons concerned. No costs. NCC : Yes/No 28.07.2026 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No gns To

¶1The District Collector, Madurai.

¶2The Director, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), No.293,M.K.N.Road, Alandur, Chennai-600 016.

¶3The Superintendent of Police, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Southern Range, Chennai - 625 002.

¶4The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Alagarkoil Road, Madurai -625 002.

¶5The Joint Director / Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Collectorate Campus, Madurai.

¶6The Block Development Officer, (Village Panchyat), Thirumangalam Panchayt Union,

¶7The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam Revenue Division, Thirumangalam, Madurai District..

¶8The Tashildar, Tahsildar Office, Thiurmangalam Taluk,

¶9The Village Administrative Officer, Village Administrative Office, Ponnamangalam Village, Thiurmangalam Taluk,

B.PUGALENDHI, J. gns

WP CRL.(MD) No.4056 of 2026

28.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 28.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP CRL.(MD)No.4056 of 2026 K.Manikandaraja ... Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector, Madurai. 2. The Director, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti- Corruption (DVAC), No.293,M.K.N.Road, Alandur, Chennai-600 016. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti- Corruption (DVAC), Southern Range, Chennai - 625 002. 4. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Alagarkoil Road, Madurai -625 002. 5. The Joint Director / Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Collectorate Campus, Madurai. 6. The Block Development Officer, (Village Panchyat), Thirumangalam Panchayt Union, 7. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam Revenue Division, Thirumangalam, Madurai District.. 8. The Tashildar, Tahsildar Office, Thiurmangalam Taluk, 9. The Village Administrative Officer, Village Administrative Office, Ponnamangalam Village, Thiurmangalam Taluk, 10. Jeyaraj 11. Jeyamani 12. Kaniraja ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to take immediate and appropriate action on the complaint of the petitioner in accordance with law. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Sundar For R1, R5 to R9 : Mr.S.Siva Subramanian, Government Advocate (Civil Side) For R2 to R4 : Mr.A.Robinson, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)