RAMDAS DATTARAYA KHOSE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By the present writ petition, the petitioner challenges the order passed by the respondent No. 2 - Divisional Commissioner, Nashik in Grampanchayat Appeal No. 90/2025, disqualifying the petitioner under sec. 14(1)(g) of the Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act' for short) for having taken illegal commercial water connection while acting as a Sarpanch.

(2.) The case of the petitioner, in brief, is summarized as under :-

(3.) The petitioner contested the dispute filed before the Collector. The Collector, on appreciation of the material on record, observed that the petitioner has deposited amount of Rs.4000.00 towards connection charges and has also paid monthly charges of Rs.1000.00 towards commercial water charges to the Gram Panchayat. It is stated that whenever there was shortfall of water, connection of the petitioner was stopped. Considering the material available on record, the Collector held that the allegations made against the petitioner are not covered under Sec. 14 (1)(g) of the Act.