SATISH KUMAR MITTAL. J.

1. In this writ petition, the petitioner raised the question whether the election of Sarpanch of the gram Panchayat of Village Akoi Sahib, Tehsil and District Sangrur can be kept in abeyance till filling up of the casual vacancy of the Member, Gram Panchayat, which has occurred due to the death of one Member, after notification of the election of the Gram panchayat under Sec.13 of the Punjab panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as the Act ).

2. In this case, the State of Punjab vide gazette Notification dated 12.2.2008 issued under Sec.10 (2) of the Act constituted gram Sabha Akoi Sahib consisting of seven members. Subsequently, as per the election programme, the election for the office of panches was held in village Akoi Sahib on 26-5-2008. All seven Panches were duly elected as per the reservation. Thereafter, the said election was duly notified under Sec.13 of the Act. After the said notification, one elected Panch, namely, Harminder Singh, was murdered on 24-6-2008. Subsequently, the Deputy Commissioner in exercise of the powers under Sec.13-A of the Act authorised respondent No.4 to convene the meeting of the newly elected Panches f