SRIBATSA KARMI Vs. DISTRICT MAGISTRATE AND ANR.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE Petitioner is the elected Sarpanch of Kaikati Gram Panchayat (constituted under the provisions of the Orissa Gram Panchayat Act), situated in the Subdivision of Athmallik in the district of Dhenkanal.

(2.) ON the 26th August, 1951 the District Magistrate of Dhenkanal passed the following order of suspension against the Petitioner and communicated the same to him:

(3.) SOME of the relevant provisions of the Grama Punchayet Act and of the Rules made thereunder may now be noticed. That Act was passed for the purpose of establishing and fostering local self Government in the village communities, in the State of Orissa. In pursuance of this object elaborate provisions have been made for the constitution of Grama Sasans, for the election of members of Grama Punchayets by the residents of Grama Sasans, for the election of Sarpanches and Naib Sarpanches by the Grama Punchayets and for describing the sections and duties of the Punchayets and also of the Sarpanches and Naib Sarpanches. The functions of the Sarpanch are specified in Section 17(1) of the Act as follows: