GEETA PRADHAN Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By the present writ petition, the petitioner is seeking quashment of the impugned orders dtd. 4/2/2025 and 5/2/2025 passed by the respondents No.2 and 3, respectively, by which the nomination form of the petitioner for contesting the election for the post of Sarpanch has been rejected.

(2.) Copies of the impugned orders have not been filed with the instant petition and the petitioner by moving an application (I.A.No.1 of 2025) sought for exemption from filing the same on the ground that the authorities have not provided copies of the said orders.

(3.) Facts of the case, as projected in the writ petition, are that the petitioner submitted the nomination form for the post of Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Durgapali for the election which is scheduled to be held on 11/2/2025. In respect of the said nomination, an objection was raised before the Returning Officer alleging, inter alia, the petitioner has not deposited an amount of Rs.1,36,080.00 which was lying in the account of panchayat. In respect of the said objection, the petitioner submitted her reply dtd. 4/2/2025 stating that she has already deposited an amount of Rs.1,36,080.00 on 29/1/2025 and 3/2/2025. However, without appreciating the said fact the Returning Officer by order dtd. 4/2/2025 rejected the nomination form of the petitioner on the ground that the said payment of Rs.1,36,080.00 was not being reflected OnLine even though the receipts have been furnished by the petitioner. According to the petitioner, the said order has been challenged before the SDO, who dismissed the case of the petitioner by order dtd. 5/2/2025.