JUDGMENT :

1. The Petitioner is challenging the impugned order dated 12.01.2023, passed by the learned Collector, Jalgaon in Dispute Application No. 66 of 2022, wherein the Petitioner - Sarpanch of village Kanalda was disqualified under Section 36 of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959 for not holding the monthly meeting for the month of October 2021.

2. Heard Mr. Jitendra V. Patil, learned Counsel for the Petitioner, Mr. N.T. Bhagat, learned AGP for Respondent/State, Mr. Atmaram J. Patil, learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.3 to 5 and 17 and Mr. D.P. Palodkar holding for Mr. Paresh B. Patil (Borse), learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.6 to 16.

3. Brief facts leading to the filing of the petition can be summarized as under:-

A. The Petitioner is an elected Sarpanch of village Kanalda. Respondent No.6 to 16 are also the elected members of village Kanalda. The Petitioner is elected from the reserved category post. During the term of the Petitioner, the Respondents / Members filed Grampanchayat Dispute Application No.66 of 2022, before the Collector for not convening monthly meeting for the month of October 2021. In the said application, the allegation is that there is deliberate a