USHA ARJUN PAWAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. With consent of the parties, matter is taken up for final hearing at admission stage.

(2.) The petitioner impugns order dtd. 12/6/2025 passed by Additional Divisional Commissioner, Nashik Division in Gram Panchayat Appeal No.1/2025, thereby upholding order dtd. 30/12/2024 passed by District Collector, Jalgaon in Gram Panchayat Dispute Application No.57/2022, thereby setting aside petitioner from holding post of Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Shirsoli, Taluka Jalgaon in exercise of powers under Sec. 33 of the Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act, 1959 (for short 'Act, 1959').

(3.) The petitioner was elected as Member of Village Panchayat Shirsoli from General Women Category in the Election held in 2021. On 27/2/2014, special meeting was convened for election of Sarpanch. The post of Sarpanch was specifically reserved for OBC Category. The meeting for election was scheduled on 5/3/2024. The petitioner was declared as elected as Sarpanch.