JUDGMENT :

CHAKRADHARI SHARAN SINGH, J.

Since the core issue involved in all these applications is identical, they have been heard together with the consent of learned counsel for the parties and are being disposed of by the present common judgment and order.

2. We have heard Mr. Shri Prakash Shrivastava, learned counsel for the petitioners in all these cases, Mr. Rajiv Roy, learned GP-1, Mr. Subash Prasad Singh, learned GA-3, Mr. Kinkar Kumar, learned SC-9 for the State of Bihar and Mr. Sanjeev Nikesh and Mr. Girish Pandey, learned counsel for the State Election Commission.

3. Petitioners of CWJC No. 17637 of 2021 claim to be duly elected Ward Councillors of Nagar Panchayat, Rajgir from Ward No. 18 and 5. They further claim to be the duly elected Chairperson of the said Nagar Panchayat. In exercise of power under Section 3(1)(a), 4, 5, 6, and 8 of Bihar Municipal Act, 2007 dated 03.03.2021, the said Nagar Panchayayat Rajgir has been upgraded as Nagar Parishad, Rajgir. It is the petitioners’ case that election of Nagar Panchayat, Rajgir was held in the year 2017 and its first meeting was convened on 09.06.2017. It is their case that by virtue of Article 243-U read with Sections 16 and