NETA RAM Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition has been preferred by the petitioners while claiming themselves as elected Panchas of Gram Panchayat Kot Baliyan, Panchayat Samiti Bali, District Pali with a prayer that the respondent-State of Rajasthan may be directed to pass appropriate orders in accordance with the provisions of Rule 22(1) of Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 (hereinafter referred as 'the Rules of 1996') and the Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat Kot Baliyan, respondent No.3 may be removed from the office of Sarpanch or being suspended from the said office.

(2.) IT is contended by the petitioners in the writ petition that when the respondent No.3 was Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat Kot Baliyan for the period running from 2005 to 2010, he has committed several irregularities and in respect of the said irregularities, the petitioners have preferred a complaint before the District Collector, Pali on 25.7.2011 and the District Collector, Pali while acting upon the said complaint, has directed the Additional Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad, Pali to conduct the enquiry in respect of the charges levelled against the respondent No.3 by the petitioners. It is further contended in the writ petition that in pursuance of the directions given by the Additional Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad Pali, the Panchayat Extension Officer, Zila Parishad, Pali has conducted an enquiry and submitted its report to the Additional Chief Executive Officer, Pali wherein it is mentioned that the Sarpanch, Up-Sarpanch and some Ward Panchas of the Gram Panchayat Kot Baliyan have committed several irregularities in issuance of pattas during their tenure running from 2005 to 2010. It is contended by the petitioners that on the said report of the Panchayat Extension Officer, no action has been taken by the respondent No.3 as per Rule 22 of the Rules of 1996.

(3.) FROM the perusal of complaint (Annex.1), it is clear that the petitioners submitted a complaint to the District Collector, Pali and not to the State Government. In response to the complaint made by the petitioners, the District Collector Pali has directed the Additional Chief Executive Officer to look into the complaint and to submit the report. As per rule 22(1) of the Rules of 1996, if any complaint is made to the State Government and if the State Government gives direction to any officer to conduct an enquiry, then the said officer is required to submit its report within 30 days to the State Government.