JUDGMENT :

By the present petition, petitioner assails the order dated 12.09.2022 passed by the District Collector, Jalgaon in Dispute Application No. 66 of 2022, by which the petitioner has been disqualified for being a Sarpanch of Grampanchayat Kanalda. The disqualification is ordered on account of failure of the petitioner to convene monthly meeting for the month of October-2021.

2. Mr. Patil, the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that on account of medical leave of the Village Development Officer from 11.10.2021, the petitioner was unable to convene meeting for the month of October-2021. He relies upon communications dated 27.10.2021 and 29.10.2021 made by the petitioner to Block Development Officer and Chief Executive Officer communicating the factum of absence of Village Development Officer leading to non-convening of monthly meeting of October – 2021. He also relies upon the order dated 25.10.2021 passed by the Block Development Officer handing over charge of Village Development Officer to Shri. Sunil Devchand Dandge. He would submit that despite handing over the charge, Shri. Sunil Devchand Dandge avoided to take over charge of the post of Village Deve