VAKIL SINGH, S/O SHRI RAM SINGH, R/O VILL BHUMBLA, P.O. BASANTPUR, TEHSIL INDORA, DISTRICT KANGRA, H.P., Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH THROUGH SECRETARY (PANCHAYATI RAJ) TO THE GOVT. OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA 171002 AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) RECORDS produced and perused. Petitioners' names were included in BPL list on the basis of which they were entitled to certain privileges including special ration card. However, fact of the matter is that as far as petitioners No. 1 and 3, namely Sh. Vakil Singh and Sh. Malkiat Singh are concerned, their names have been deleted from the BPL list on the basis of the meeting convened on 3.4.2011. Mr. Dharam Pal, Panchayat Secretary submits that as far as name of petitioner No.2, namely, Shri Daya Ram is concerned, it has not been deleted. Mr. Ajay Sharma, Learned Counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioners No. 1 and 3 have not been heard before the decision was taken by respondent No. 5, Gram Panchayat, Basantpur to delete their names from the BPL list. The submission made by Mr. Ajay Sharma, Learned Counsel for the petitioner has not been rebutted.

(2.) PETITIONERS No. 1 and 3 have suffered civil and evil consequences. They ought to have been heard by issuing proper notices before process was initiated to delete their names by respondent No. 5, Gram Panchayat, Basantpur. Natural justice is the integral part of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners No. 1 and 3 are deprived of certain privileges after their names have been arbitrarily deleted from the BPL list by respondent No. 5.