CHANDIKESHWAR SINGH Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE present petition filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India impugns the order dated 30-1-2004 (Annexure P-12) passed by the respondent No. 2, whereby the petitioner has been terminated from the post of Panchayat Karmi of the Gram Panchayat Obri, Tehsil Pal, District Surguja, on the ground that the petitioner has committed irregularities in performance of his duties.

(2.) THE undisputed facts, in nutshell, are that the petitioner was appointed as Panchayat Karmi by order dated 6-12-1997 (Annexure P-1). THE petitioner was thereafter declared as Panchayat Secretary of the said Gram Panchayat.

(3.) IN compliance of the above order dated 16-12-2003 the petitioner produced all the documents before the Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat on 17-12-2003 and obtained a receipt thereof (Annexure P-4). According to learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner, the respondent No. 4 - Shri Shobh Nath Gupta, Up-Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat, wrote a letter dated 20-12-2003 (Annexure P-5) to the petitioner, demanding a sum of Rs. 2,00,000/-from the petitioner, in default threatening removal from the post of Secretary. Before writing of the letter by the respondent No. 4, an amount of about Rs. 15,00,000/- was received by the Gram Panchayat, Obri for undertaking certain works.