IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR
RAMESH SINHA, CJ., ARVIND KUMAR VERMA, J.
Smt. Manita Mandavi W/o Shri Abdul Salam – Appellant
Versus
State of Chhattisgarh - Respondent
WA No. 106 of 2024
Decided on : 28-02-2024
Hot Haste Removal - Constitutional Rights - Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam, 1993, Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Section 39, Section 40 - The court discussed the violation of fundamental rights, particularly Article 14 of the Constitution of India, and the principles of natural justice in the context of hot haste removal of an elected Sarpanch. It referenced the judgment in Radha Krishan Industries vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Others, (2021) 6 SCC 771, which dealt with the exception to the rule of alternative remedy, emphasizing that when a right is created by a statute which prescribes the remedy or procedure for enforcing the right, resort must be had to that particular statutory remedy before invoking the discretionary remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution.
Fact of the Case:
The appellant, an elected Sarpanch, challenged the hot haste removal from office, citing violation of fundamental and constitutional rights, particularly Article 14 of the Constitution of India, and the principles of natural justice. The appellant relied on the judgment in Radha Krishan Industries vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Others, (2021) 6 SCC 771, to argue the exception to the rule of alternative remedy.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant's participation in the proceedings without objection precluded bypassing the statutory alternative remedy to prefer an appeal before the Collector. The court held that the learned Single Judge did not commit any illegality, irregularity, or jurisdictional error warranting interference.
Issues: The issues revolved around the violation of fundamental rights, particularly Article 14 of the Constitution of India, and the principles of natural justice in the context of the hot haste removal of an elected Sarpanch, and the applicability of the exception to the rule of alternative remedy.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that when a right is created by a statute which prescribes the remedy or procedure for enforcing the right, resort must be had to that particular statutory remedy before invoking the discretionary remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution. The court found that the appellant's participation in the proceedings without objection precluded bypassing the statutory alternative remedy to prefer an appeal before the Collector.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the writ appeal, holding that the learned Single Judge did not commit any illegality, irregularity, or jurisdictional error warranting interference.
JUDGMENT :
Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Heard Mr. B.P. Sharma, learned counsel for the appellant. Also heard Mr. Vinay Pandey, learned Deputy Advocate General, appearing for the respondents/State.
2. The present intra Court appeal has been filed by the appellant/writ petitioner against the order dated 05.02.2024 passed by the learned Single Judge in WPC No. 673 of 2024 (Smt. Manita Mandavi vs. State of Chhattisgarh & Others), whereby the learned Single Judge has dismissed the writ petition filed by the appellant/writ petitioner.
3. Learned counsel for the appellant/writ petitioner submits that the in the present case where a glance of writ petition entitles appellant/writ petitioner the relief claimed and irony is that in the writ petition itself the appellant/writ petitioner has relied upon the judgment in the matter of Radha Krishan Industries vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Others, reported in (2021) 6 SCC 771 and dealt with the aspect of availability of alternate remedy and when alternative remedy will not divest the High Court of its power under Article 226 of the Constitution of India which also includes the exception under Clause 27.3 and the appellant/writ petitioner's case comes within the purview of Clause 27.3 (a) & (b) and relying on the said judgment and without looking into the crux of the petition or examining the issue raised of hot haste removal of elected Sarpanch has not been considered by the writ Court or considered in the manner not warranted under the law. He also submits that the appellant/writ petitioner is well aware while filing petition before the learned Single Judge about the aspect of alternate remedy and therefore, in Para 8.5 of writ petition has dealt with this aspect of the matter and submitted before the writ Court the hot haste shown in removing the appellant/writ petitioner from the post of Sarpanch and in a democratic country elected person should not be removed and if removed in the said manner then the writ Court being sentinel qui ve of the protection of fundamental and constitutional rights, has the duty to protect elected office bearers. In democracy elected office bearers should not be removed from the office as the democratic set up of the country is the basic feature of the Constitution. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the matter of Ravi Yashwant Bhori vs. District Collector Raigad & Others, reported in (2012) 4 SCC 407 has dealt with democratic set-up of the country and its protection by the Court by saying that "the democratic set up of the country has always been recognized as the basic feature of the constitution like other features eg. supremacy of constitution, rule of law, principle of separation of powers, power of judicial review under Articles 32, 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India etc. "Basic" means the basis of a thing on which it stands, and on the failure of which it falls. In democracy all citizens have equal political rights. Democracy means actual, active and effective exercise of power by the people in this regard. It means political participation of the people in running the administration of the government. It conveys the state of affairs in which each citizen is assured of the right of equal participation in the polity. It is not permissible to destroy any of the basic features of the Constitution, therefore, it is beyond imagination that it can be eroded by the executive on its whims without any reason. The Constitution accords full faith and credit to the act done by the executive in exercise of its statutory powers, but they have a primary responsibility to serve the nation and enlighten the citizens to further strengthen a democratic State. However, wherever the executive fails, the Courts come forward to strike down an order passed by them passionately and to remove arbitrariness and unreasonableness, for the reason that the State by its illegal action becomes liable for forfeiting the full faith and credit trusted with it.
4. It is further submitted by the learn
Radha Krishan Industries vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Others
The existence of an alternative remedy does not preclude the maintainability of a writ petition; however, the court retains discretion to entertain such petitions based on jurisdictional issues or vi....
Removal of a Sarpanch requires adherence to natural justice principles and independent findings. Failure to present facts disqualifies claims for writ relief.
Point of Law : Writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution should not be entertained when the statutory remedy is available under the Act, unless exceptional circumstances are made out.
Point of law : When a right is created by a statute, which itself prescribes the remedy or procedure for enforcing the right or liability, resort must be had to that particular statutory remedy befor....
The court reinforced that review petitions are not an opportunity to re-argue cases or appeal decisions already made unless clear, patent errors exist.
Removal of a Sarpanch under Section 249 requires strict adherence to natural justice principles, including provision of enquiry reports, or risk invalidation of the order.
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