Hon’ble A.P. Sahi, J.—Heard Shri Atul Srivastava, learned counsel for the petitioner and Shri Jai Prakash Singh, learned counsel for the respondent No. 7 and Shri C.P. Mishra, learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent Nos. 1 to 6.

2. In spite of repeated time having been granted by the Court no counter-affidavit was filed, as a result whereof, the Court had to summon the concerned officials. Today a short counter-affidavit supported with an application has been filed by Shri Arvind Kumar Singh, District Panchayat Raj Officer, Ghazipur stating therein that unqualified apology is being tendered for the delay caused in providing assistance to the Court and another short counter-affidavit has been filed by Shri Jitendra Mohan Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jakhaniya, Ghazipur stating therein that pursuant to the interim order of this Court, the District Magistrate passed an order restraining the respondent No. 7 from functioning as Gram Pradhan. Keeping in view the allegations as contained in the writ petition, the functions of the Gram Pradhan are being carried out by a person appointed and deputed vide order dated 17.12.2007.

3. This writ petition has be