JUDGMENT :

The petitioner is a resident of Kavaratti Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. He states that he is presently the elected Chairperson of Village (Dweep) Panchayat, Kavaratti, representing Ward No.8.

2. The challenge:

This writ petition is filed challenging Ext.P3 notification issued by the Administrator, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, declaring the local areas comprising of villages or a group of villages specified in the said notification to be Panchayat areas for the purpose of the Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulations, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as ‘LPR, 2022’ for the sake of brevity). The petitioner has also sought for issuance of directions to the 3rd respondent to keep in abeyance all proceedings for conducting elections to the Gram Panchayat constituted as per Ext.P3 notification till such time as the population for the territorial areas of the Gram Panchayat constituted in terms of the said notification are ascertained in accordance with Section 2(t) of LPR, 2022. The petitioner asserts that Exhibits P3 and P4 notifications and also Exhibit P6 draft not