R S SAINI Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner who was the President of the Municipal Council, Nangal, is aggrieved by the order dated June 26, 1998 by which he has been ordered to be removed from the office. He prays that the order passed by the Government, a copy of which has been produced as Annexure P-8 with the writ petition, be quashed. A few facts may be noticed.

(2.) On November 20, 1994, the petitioner was elected as a Member of the Municipal Council, Nangal. On January 17, 1996, he was elected as President of the Municipal Council. On October 14, 1997, the petitioner was served with a notice under Sections 16(l)(e) and 22 of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911. He was asked to show cause as to why he be not removed from the Presidentship and the Membership of the Council. Alongwith, a list of charges was enclosed. There were as many as 11 charges. A few days later, on November 4, 1997, the petitioner was served with another show cause notice. Three more charges were levelled against the petitioner. The petitioner submitted his reply vide letters dated November 8, 1997 and November 23, 1997. Thereafter, he submitted written arguments on December 26, 1997. On June 26, 1998, the impugned order was passed. Aggrieved by this Order, the petitioner has filed the present petition.

(3.) Notice to show cause was issued to the respondents. Separate written statements have been filed on behalf of respondent Nos.1, 3 and 4 respectively. The allegations made by the petitioner against respondent No. 4 to the effect that he was inimical towards him and that the order had been passed at his behest, have been denied.