Home » SC hears writ petition on Zilla Parishad election; directs petitioner to HC

SC hears writ petition on Zilla Parishad election; directs petitioner to HC

by IT Web Admin
0 comments 2 minutes read
SC hears writ petition on Zilla Parishad election; directs petitioner to HC

IT News
Imphal, Feb 17:

Double bench of the Supreme Court of India has declined to entertain the writ petition challenging the state government’s delay in conducting the election for local self-bodies – Panchayat election but granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the High Court.
A writ petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 22 and Section 109 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, was heard before the double bench comprising of Justice Surya Kant and Justice K.V. Viswanathan at the Supreme Court of India today.
The petition, filed by Pheiroijam Heramani Singh, raised concerns regarding the interference with the independent functioning of the Election Commission of India, alleging arbitrariness and unconstitutionality under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
The petitioners, represented by Mr. N Jotendro Singh, Sr. Adv., Mr. David Ahongsangbam, Adv., Mr. Syed Murtaza Ahmed, Adv., Ms. Rajkumari Banju, AOR, and Mr. Mohan Singh, Adv., challenged both the aforementioned sections of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, as well as an administrative decision circulated on January 16, 2024, following a Cabinet decision by the State of Manipur on December 12, 2023.
The petition mentions the “validity of Section 22 and amendment thereto and Section-109 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 which give interference to the independent functioning of the Election Commission of India and therefore being arbitrary and unconstitutional on the touchstone of Article 14 & 21 of the Constitution of India.”
Section 22 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, pertains to the appointment of an Administrator. The petition also highlighted concerns regarding the non-conduct of Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad elections for the past two years. It also stated that “the State Authorities under the grabbed of Section 109 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (saving clause) purposely did not conduct Election of Gram Panchayat & Zilla Parishad since the last two years.”
After hearing the arguments presented by the petitioners, the Court concluded that all the issues raised in the petition could be appropriately addressed before the High Court of Manipur under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Consequently, the Court declined to entertain the writ petition but granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the High Court.
The Supreme Court further urged the High Court to expedite any proceedings initiated by the petitioners. As a result, the writ petition was dismissed, with the petitioners granted liberty to pursue their case before the High Court.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

ABOUT US

Imphal Times is a daily English newspaper published in Imphal and is registered with Registrar of the Newspapers for India with Regd. No MANENG/2013/51092

FOLLOW US ON IG

©2023 – All Right Reserved. Designed and Hosted by eManipur!

Adblock Detected

Please support us by disabling your AdBlocker extension from your browsers for our website.