JUDGMENT

Dated this the 27^th day of January, 2026 The petitioner is working as Driver in the Edathua Grama Panchayat since 27.12.1999. The petitioner is before this Court seeking to quash Sub Clause (ii) of Clause 8 of Ext.P1 and to declare that Sub Clause (ii) of Clause 8 of Ext.P1 is not legally sustainable in view of the fact that Ext.P2 Government Order is not applicable in the case of the petitioner.

2. The petitioner states that the 4^th respondent-

Panchayat as per Resolution No.2 dated 12.07.2024 recommended transfer of Senior Clerk Veena V. Nair on account of certain allegations against her. One among the various allegations against her is that she submitted a report before the 3^rd respondent stating that there is no Driver working in the Panchayat. The said Veena V. Nair later clarified the position that what she reported is that there is no permanent Driver working in the Panchayat.

3. It appears that disciplinary action was proposed against Veena V. Nair, which was not proceeded with. The said issue is pending consideration before the Ombudsman for Local Self Government Institutions.

4. When the issue of the petitioner’s appointment came up for consideration before the Gove