Chandra Reddy, C.J.

The petitioner claims the issuance of a writ of quo warranto, directing respondents 2 to 14 to exhibit information as to the authority under which they could perform the duties of the members of the Panchayat of Takkolam. The facts giving rise to these proceedings may be briefly narrated. Takkolam is a whole revenue village of North Arcot district, which was constituted as a panchayat in 1917. Under the Madras Village Panchayats Act, 1950, it was classified as a second-class panchayat. After the Act of 1950 came into force, a notification under section 61 of that Act was issued on 22nd December, 1952, fixing the strength of the panchayat at eight exclusive of the President and there was no reserved seat for the Scheduled Castes. Subsequently, by a notification dated 8th March, 1958, the then Regional Inspector of Municipal Councils and Local Boards, North Arcot district, fixed the strength of the panchayat at fifteen, and divided the village into five wards, allocating 4, 4, 2, 2 and 3 to Wards Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. It may be mentioned here, that this time also, no reservation was made for Scheduled Castes. This notification was considere