SOUMYA XAVIER Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, who are Ward Members of Ramapuram Grama Panchayat, are aggrieved by the Resolution passed by the Panchayat Committee on 1/8/2022, which according to the petitioners, is in violation of Rules 10, 11, 26 and 28 of the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Procedure for Panchayat Meeting) Rules, 1995.

(2.) The petitioners state that Ext.P2 Project Report for the year 2022-2023 was placed in an urgent meeting of the Panchayat Committee scheduled on 23/7/2022. Sixteen Members participated in the meeting. According to the petitioners, only one Member expressed his oral dissent. All others including the present Panchayat President supported the Project Report and it was decided that the Report be submitted to the 3rd respondent- Deputy Director of Panchayats on or before 3/8/2022.

(3.) On 27/7/2022, there was fresh election to the vacancy of Panchayat President. The existing Panchayat President voted in favour of the Opposition violating a Whip and she was again elected as Panchayat President with the support of the Opposition parties. A petition is pending before the Election Commission seeking to disqualify the Panchayat President.