K SRINIVAS RAO Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This case illustrates as to how public interest litigations pursued in half-hearted manner would scuttle the democratic Process.

(2.) Pulluru is a Gram Panchayat in Krishna District. It comprised of village of Pulluru proper and several hamlets, such as, Laxminagarapuram, Kothagudem and Kothamangapuram. Before the General Elections for the Gram Panchayat held in 1995, proposals were initiated for bifurcating the Pulluru Gram Panchayat and for constituting a new Gram Panchayat for Kothamangapuram. A notice to that effect was issued on 24-4-1995 by the District Collector, the 2nd respondent herein. Pulluru Gram Panchayat had agreed for the proposal and passed resolution to that effect. On the basis of this resolution and in the absence of any objection, the 2nd respondent issued final notice dated 12-5-1995 forming the Kothamangapuram Gram Panchayat, through proceedings dated 4594/94/Panchayats-8, dated 12-5-1995.

(3.) Two residents of the village filed WP No. 10987/95, questioning the bifurcation. The writ petition was disposed of by a Division Bench of this Court, through order dated 22-11-1995. While the proceedings referred to in the order related to bifurcation of Pulluru Gram Panchayat, the order read as though it related to bifurcation of Seetharampuram Gram Panchayat into Seetharampuram and Marribandam. The petitioners in that writ petition appear to have been satisfied by getting the election to Gram Panchayat stayed. They did not evince any interest either to get the order corrected or to take further steps.