The right to contest a petition and the sustainability of an ex-parte judgment were central to the court's decision.

(Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)

With the consent of the learned advocates, the Appeal is heard and decided today.

2. Feeling aggrieved by the judgment and order dated 28th January 2011 passed by the learned single Judge in above CWJC No. 13232 of 2007, the appellant a former Mukhia of Gram Panchayat Samardiha, Karghar, Rohtas has preferred this Appeal under Clause 10 of the Letters Patent.

3. It appears that the respondent no. 8, the writ petitioner, was appointed as the Panchayat Shiksha Mitra in the Gram Panchayat Samardiha on 21st May 2005 for the period of eleven months. On expiry of the term of her appointment in April 2006 she was not re-appointed or her appointment as Panchayat Shiksha Mitra was not renewed.

4. Feeling aggrieved, she filed above CWJC No. 13232 of 2007 for a direction that she be paid salary since April 2006 and she be not disturbed from discharging her duties. The petitioner alleged that the Mukhia of the Gram Panchayat had mala fide intention in not renewing her appointment. The learned single Judge has observed that although the District Superintendent of Education had informed the Mukhia of the Gram Panchayat, he did not appear before the Court. In absence of any contest by the Mukhia, the learned single Judge has allowed the writ petition. The learned single Judge has presumed that the writ petitioner had continued as Panchayat Shiksha Mitra and that by operation of Rule 20 (iii) of the Bihar Panchayat Elementary Teachers (Appointment & Service Conditions) Rules, 2006; she was serving as a Panchayat Teacher. In view of the said presumption, the learned single Judge has issued direction against the Mukhia and the Panchayat Secretary to make payment of arrears of honorarium to the petitioner from April 2006 to June 2006 and the prescribed salary of Panchayat Teacher since July 2006.

5. Feeling aggrieved, the appellant, the then Mukhia of the Gram Panchayat has preferred this Appeal under Clause 10 of the Letters Patent.

6. Learned Advocate Mr. Tuhin Shankar has appeared for the appellant. He has submitted that the impugned order has been made against the appellant ex-parte. He has further submitted that since April 2006 the petitioner had not been continued in service as Panchayat Shiksha Mitra nor did she become Panchayat Teacher by operation of Rule 20 (iii) of the Bihar Panchayat Elementary Teachers (Appointment & Service Conditions) Rules 2006.

7. On perusal of the record it is apparent that the Court had not issued notice upon any of the respondents. The respondent nos. 1 to 5, the State of Bihar and its authorities, appeared on advance service. The respondent nos. 6 and 7, the Mukhia and the Secretary of the Gram Panchayat, were not issued notice. In absence of the respondent nos. 6 and 7, the writ petition could not have been proceeded more particularly against the Mukhia as there was a specific allegation of mala fide made against the Mukhia.

8. Mr. Rajendra Prasad Singh has appeared for the writ petitioner, the respondent no. 8. He has submitted that the appellant has no locus standi to prefer this Appeal.

9. We see no substance in the submission of Mr. Singh. There is a specific allegation of mala fide against the then Mukhia of the Gram Panchayat. He had a right to contest the petition. The order having been made against him, he has the locus standi to prefer this Appeal.

10. As we have held, the impugned judgment and order have been passed by the learned single Judge ex-parte against the respondent nos. 6 and 7. The impugned judgment is, therefore, not sustainable.

11. In view of the above discussion, the Appeal is allowed. The impugned judgment and order dated 28th January 2011 passed by the learned single Judge in CWJC No. 13232 of 2007 is set aside. CWJC No. 13232 of 2007 is revived and remitted to the learned single Judge for hearing and decision afresh after hearing all the parties.

12. The appellant, the then Mukhia of the Gram Panchayat Samardiha, Karghar, Rohtas is impleaded a