JUDGMENT - F.I. REBELLO, J.:---Petitioner was duly elected as a member of the Socorro Village Panchayat in the elections held on 12-1-1997 and, thereafter, on 14-2-1997 was elected as Sarpanch. Earlier also, the petitioner had held the post of Sarpanch. On 7-9-1998, respondent No. 1 served on the petitioner a show cause Notice under section 50(4) and 50(5) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Panchayat Raj Act'). On 16-12-1998, the petitioner filed his reply to the show cause notice contesting the charges and allegations made therein. The matter proceeded before the 1st respondent. On 16-2-1999, after hearing parties the 1st respondent directed the petitioner and the complainant/respondent No. 3 herein to file written arguments on 3-3-1999. On 3-3-1999, the complainant/respondent No. 3 filed written arguments. On that date, on behalf of the petitioner an application was filed seeking time to file written arguments. Time was granted and the matter was adjourned to 7-4-1999 for judgment and order.

After the matter was reserved for judgment, the petitioner filed three applications. The first application was dated 15-3-1999. By the said application, the

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