BALBIR SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners are the Sarpanch and Panches respectively of the village panchayat. On May 8, 1999, a criminal case under Sections 307, 506/323/324/148/149 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against them. The offences under Sections 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act, 1959 were also alleged to have been made out. The petitioners were taken into custody. The Court granted remand. On July 14, 1999, the Deputy Director ordered the suspension of the petitioners. Aggrieved by the order, the petitioners filed an appeal. It was dismissed by the Special Secretary to the Government, vide order dated September 29, 1999. Copies of these orders have been produced as Annexures P2 and P4 with the writ petition. Aggrieved by these orders, the petitioners have approached this Court through the present writ petition.

(2.) NOTICE of motion was issued.

(3.) MR . G.S. Grewal contends that the charges against the petitioners are not such as would embarrass them in the performance of their duties. In any case, the Authority has not found that the petitioners are likely to be embarrassed. He further submits that the Deputy Director had no power to pass the order of suspension.