SATISH KUMAR MITTAL ,J - (1.) THE petitioner has filed this petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuing direction not to hold the election of Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat, Village Ellahi Bakhsh Bodla, Tehsil Jalalabad, District Ferozepur, before filling up the fifth seat of Panch, reserved for Backward Class.
(2.) WE have heard counsel for the parties and gone through the contents of this petition. Undisputedly, in this case, out of the posts of 5 Panches to be elected for the Gram Panchayat, 4 Panches have been duly elected on 26.5.2008. However, one seat of Panch reserved for Backward Class could not be filled because no person contested in that Category. It is further admitted that the election of the elected Panches has been notified under Section 13 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'). In view of the same, the Deputy Commissioner has convened the meeting of notified members of the Panchayat under Section 13-A of the Act to elect a Sarpanch of Village Gram Panchayat.
(3.) LEARNED counsel for the petitioner has contended that the election of Sarpanch be kept in abeyance till the election of vacant seat of Panch reserved for Backward Class is held.;