RAM KANTI Vs. DISTRICT MAGISTRATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN these petitions the following questions are Involved, which are required to be decided by us:

(2.) IN Writ Petition No. 10105 of 1995, the petitioner and nine other women candidates filed nominations for the election to the office of Pradhan of Gram Panchayat, Umaria, District Hamirpur, which was reserved for women belonging to backward class. The nominations of four candidates were rejected while five women candidates withdrew their candidature, with the result that the petitioner was the only candidate, who remained in the field. She was accordingly declared elected unopposed as Pradhan of the said village by the Assistant Returning Officer. It appears that on the recommendation of the District Election Officer/District Magistrate, Hamirpur, the State Election Commissioner, vide order dated 15.4.1995, cancelled the election of the petitioner. Being aggrieved by it, the petitioner has filed this writ petition. The District Panchayat Raj Officer has filed counter -affidavit. On behalf of the State Election Commissioner counter -affidavit has been filed by Sri T.N. Srivastava, Assistant Commissioner, State Election Commission, U.P.

(3.) WE have heard learned Counsel for the Petitioners and learned standing counsel as well as learned Counsel for the intervener.