SHAMABAI Vs. PANCHAYAT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard finally with the consent of the parties.

(2.) This petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging order dtd. 7/6/2022 passed by the Returning Officer (Panchayat), Neemuch whereby petitioner's election nomination Form for the post of Member Zila Panchayat, Neemuch has been rejected on the basis of blank left entry in the Form.

(3.) Petitioner's case is that the election of Panchayat for the State of Madhya Pradesh has been declared by the State Election Commission and thus the election of Gram Panchayat, Manasa, District - Neemuch has also been declared. After the notification of election, petitioner submitted her Form for contesting in the election of Member Zila Gram Panchayat., however, the aforesaid Form was opposed by the respondent No.5 by filing the objection on 7/6/2022, before the Returning Officer on the ground of false information furnished by the petitioner as also the incomplete affidavit filed by the petitioner. Aforesaid objection of the respondent No.5 was replied to by the petitioner and the objection has been decided by the Returning Officer vide impugned order dtd. 6/2/2022, holding that in Clause 2.10 of para 9 of the Form submitted by the petitioner, which was in respect of sales tax, she has left the columns blank.