Archana Devi @ Archana Kumari Vs The State of Bihar — Patna HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Archana Devi @ Archana Kumari Vs The State of Bihar — Patna HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

No substantive relief; writ application disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to file an appeal in accordance with law before the prescribed Appellate Authority (Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut Division, Muzaffarpur).

Issue for consideration

Whether the writ petition seeking quashing of the Collector's order dated 31.01.2026 in Misc. Case No. 18/2025-26 terminating the petitioner's service, recognition of her service as valid, reinstatement, and termination of Respondent No. 6's engagement, should be granted. +1 more

Ratio / Principle

The order dated 31.1.2026 passed in Misc. Case No. 18/2025-26 by the Collector, Vaishali at Hajipur, in a matter covered by the Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika Selection Guidelines, 2019, is appealable before the Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut Division, Muzaffarpur; the petitioner therefore has an alternate and efficacious remedy available in law.

Key takeaways

Without entering into the merits of the petitioner's case, the writ application stands disposed of, directing the petitioner to file an appeal in accordance with law before the prescribed Appellate Authority.ratio¶28

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

High Court of Judicature at Patna (Partha Sarthy, J.), Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5166 of 2026, decided 07-04-2026 - Archana Devi @ Archana Kumari v. State of Bihar and others. The petitioner challenged the order dated 31.01.2026 passed in Misc. Case No. 18/2025-26 by the Collector, Vaishali at Hajipur, terminating her service, and sought certiorari for quashing of that order, mandamus for recognition of her service as valid and reinstatement, and termination of the engagement of Respondent No. 6 (Kumari Sujata @Kumari Sujata Devi). The Court held that the matter, being covered by the Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika Selection Guidelines, 2019, is appealable before the Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut Division, Muzaffarpur, and that the petitioner accordingly has an alternate and efficacious remedy available in law. Without entering into the merits, the writ application was disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to file an appeal in accordance with law before the prescribed Appellate Authority.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5166 of 2026

======================================================

Archana Devi @ Archana Kumari W/o Munna Kumar, R/o- Saidpur Bijli, P.S.- Bhagwanpur, Dist- Vaishali, Bihar, Pin Code-844144

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

The State of Bihar through The Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Dept., Govt. of Bihar.

The Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut Division, Muzaffarpur.

The District Magistrate cum Collector, Vaishali at Hajipur.

The Child Development Project officer, Bhagwanpur, Dist- Vaishali.

The Circle Officer, Wahid Bigha, District-Aurangabad.

Kumari Sujata @Kumari Sujata Devi, W/o- Satyawachan Mahto, R/oVillage Saidpur Bijili, P.S- Bhagwanpur, Dist-Vaishali, Bihar, Pin Code844144.

... ... Respondent/s

====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Keshab Raj, Advocate For the Respondent/s : Mr. Sarvesh Kumar Singh, AAG- 13 ======================================================

CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PARTHA SARTHY

ORAL ORDER

2 07-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the parties.

The petitioner has filed the instant application for

the following reliefs:

“ (i) For the issuance of an appropriate writ, order, or direction, including a writ in the nature of Certiorari, for quashing the order dated 31.01.2026 in Misc. Case no18/2025-26 passed by the Court of

Patna High Court CWJC No.5166 of 2026(2) dt.07-04-2026 2/3

Collector whereby the service of the petitioner has been unlawfully terminated.

(ii) For the issuance of an appropriate writ, order, or direction, including a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent authorities to recognize and treat the services of the petitioner as valid, to reinstate the petitioner on duty, and consequently to terminate the engagement of Respondent No.6.

(iii) For grant of any other relief/ reliefs that the petitioners may be found to be entitled to in facts and circumstances of the present case. ”

In the opinion of the Court, the order dated 31.1.2026 passed in Misc. Case no. 18/2025-26 by the Collector, Vaishali at Hajipur with respect to the petitioner in a matter covered by the Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika Selection Guidelines, 2019 being appealable before the Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut Division, Muzaffarpur, the petitioner has an alternate and efficacious remedy available to him in law.

In view of the above, without entering into the merits of the case of the petitioner, the writ application stands disposed of directing the petitioner to file an appeal in

Patna High Court CWJC No.5166 of 2026(2) dt.07-04-2026 3/3

accordance with law before the prescribed Appellate Authority.

The application stands disposed of.

(Partha Sarthy, J)

sauravkrsinha/-

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