RAI SINGH Vs. STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Letters Patent Appeal has been directed against the order dated 16.3.2012 passed by the learned Single Judge, whereby Civil Writ Petition No. 4966 of 2012, filed by appellant Rai Singh, challenging the order dated 17.1.2012 (Annexure P-9) passed by the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Government, Haryana, Development and Panchayats Department, Chandigarh (respondent No.1) has been dismissed.

(2.) We have heard learned counsel for the parties and gone through the impugned order.

(3.) In the present case, Ramphal (respondent No.4) was elected as Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat, Village Bakhli, Tehsil Pehowa, District Kurukshetra, in the elections held in the year 2010. In August, 2010, some inhabitants of the village filed a writ petition (CWP no. 14005 of 2010) in this Court, seeking direction to lease out the land of the Gram Panchayat in open auction as per the Haryana Panchayati Raj Rules, 1995. After receiving notice in the said writ petition, respondent No.4 leased out 127 acres of land of the Gram Panchayat at the rate of Rs. 10,000/- per acre, showing it to be leased out through public auction, whereas according to the petitioner, the said land was leased out at a very less rate without conducting any public auction.