JUDGMENT

Michael Zothankhuma, J. - Heard Mr. A.R. Malhotra, learned counsel for the writ petitioners in WP(C) Nos. 67 & 68/2020. Also heard Mr. Jonathan L. Sailo, learned counsel for the writ petitioners in WP(C) No. 69/2020, Mr. J.C. Lalnunsanga, learned counsel for the writ petitioners in WP(C) No. 66/2020 and Mr. Joseph L. Renthlei, learned counsel for the writ petitioners in WP(C) No. 79/2020. Mr. B. Lalramenga appears for the Lai Autonomous District Council (in short LADC), while no one appears for the private respondents.

2. All these writ petitions have challenged the suspension of various Village Councils vide notifications issued by the Executive Committee of the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) under Chapter-2 Section 11 (1) of the Lai Autonomous District (Village Councils) Act, 2010 (herein after referred to as 2010 Act) and its amendments. As the issues in all the writ petitions are similar, all the writ petitions are being disposed of by this common judgment & order.

3. The petitioners in all the writ petitions were elected members of various Village Councils and their five year term as Village Council Members were to end in the year 2024.

4. The petitioners' case is