LAWS(KER)-2015-7-28

LIZY VALSALAN Vs. SUJA SALIM AND ORS.

Decided On July 06, 2015
Lizy Valsalan Appellant
V/S
Suja Salim And Ors. Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These appeals are filed challenging the common judgment dated 13/02/2015 in a batch of writ petitions. Since the issues involved are the same, the appeals are heard and decided together.

(2.) The common appellant, who was one among the respondents in the writ petitions, filed original petitions before the Kerala State Election Commission (hereinafter referred to as 'the Commission') seeking to disqualify certain members of Keerampara Grama Panchayath inter alia contending that they have voted in a meeting violating the whip issued by the respective political parties and by their action in not complying with the directions of their respective political parties, they have voluntarily abandoned their membership from their political party.

(3.) O.P.Nos.37 to 42 were filed by the appellant before the Commission which were disposed of by a common order dated 26/06/2013, whereby the Commission, after evaluating the evidence, allowed the petitions and the respondents in the said original petitions were declared as disqualified from being members of the Panchayath as provided under Section 3 of the Kerala Local Authorities (Prohibition of Defection) Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') and that they were also disqualified from contesting as candidates in an election to any local authority for a period of six years from the said date as provided under Section 4 (3) of the Act.