JUDGMENT :

N. Kotiswar Singh, J.

1. The present appeals are directed against the judgments and orders passed by the learned Single Judges of this Court, one at the Jammu Wing and another at Srinagar Wing. Since the issues involved in both these appeals are common, these appeals are taken up together and decided by this common judgment and order.

2. LPA No.270/2023 has been preferred before the Srinagar Wing of this Court against the Order dated 14.12.2023, passed by the learned Single Judge in WP(C) No. 3205/2023, in which the petitioners had sought a Writ of Mandamus commanding the respondents to allow the petitioners to discharge duties as Presidents of the respective Municipal Committees in terms of Article 243-U, Section 13 & 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act 2000 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), and challenging the opinion rendered by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, dated 30.10.2023 and also for prohibiting the respondents from dissolving the Municipal Committees of Shopian, Dooru Verinag and Kokernag, before the expiry of five years term.

3. LPA No.236/2023 has been preferred at the Jammu Wing against the Order dated 22.12.2023 passed by t