The Tripura High Court has set aside the cancellation of appointments of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, holding that the authorities acted arbitrarily by allowing political pressure to influence their decisions and cancelling the appointments without following the principles of natural justice.

The Court observed that the action violated Article 14 of the Constitution and directed the authorities to reinstate the workers with full back honorarium from February 26, 2024.

Division Bench of Chief Justice Mr. M.S. Ramachandra Rao And Mr. Justice S. Datta Purkayastha noted that: "The said action of the District Magistrate and Collector and the consequent action of the Child Development Project Officer, Dumburnagar ICDS Project (Respondent no.4) are arbitrary, illegal and violative of Art.14 of the Constitution of India and principles of natural justice."

The appellants were appointed as Anganwadi Workers and Helpers pursuant to an advertisement issued on December 21, 2022. Following interviews and approval by the authorities, individual engagement orders were issued on August 8, 2023, and they joined their respective posts.

However, on February 26, 2024, the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) cancelled their recruitment, citing "unavoidable reasons". Challenging the cancellation, the appellants contended that the decision was arbitrary and taken without providing them an opportunity of hearing.

The Single Judge dismissed their petitions as premature, prompting them to approach the Division Bench.

The Division Bench held that the cancellation order dated February 26, 2024, constituted an impugned order affecting the appellants' rights, and their writ petitions could not be dismissed as premature.

The Court observed that the State's guidelines did not provide any priority to existing substitute Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. It further held that objections raised through a locality resolution could not be treated as an appeal under the guidelines, particularly when no individual appeal or supporting documents had been placed on record.

Regarding the allegation that the appellants were not residents of the concerned localities, the Court noted that the inquiry report relied upon by the authorities had not been produced and the appellants were not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

The Bench held that the authorities had allowed political pressure from the Tipra Motha Party to influence their decisions. It concluded that the cancellation was arbitrary, illegal and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution and principles of natural justice.

Accordingly, the Court set aside the cancellation, directed the appellants' immediate restoration to their posts and ordered payment of full back honorarium from February 26, 2024, along with costs of ₹5,000 to each appellant.

Date of Decision: 14.10.2026