UTTAM Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard. Rule. The Rule is made returnable forthwith. With the consent of both the sides the matter is heard finally at the stage of admission.

(2.) In this Petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India the only question that needs to be answered is as to if the villagers who are not parties to a proceeding before a Collector under Sections 7 and 36 of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959 (The Panchayat Act) can challenge his order by a Petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India that too when the original disputant challenges it in an independent Writ Petition under Article 227 but withdraws it unconditionally.

(3.) The issue arises on the following backdrop: