JUDGMENT :

HEMANT GUPTA, J.

Civil Appeal & SLP(C) No. 16837 of 2019

1. Leave granted.

2. The challenge in the present appeal is to an order dated 10th December, 2018 passed by the learned Single Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay dismissing the writ petition filed by the appellant against an order of disqualification under Section 14Bof the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959[for short, 1959 Act'] on account of non-submission of election expenses within the period prescribed.

3. The election of Gram Panchayat, Mugat, Taluk Mudkhed, District Nanded were held on 1st November, 2015. The results were declared on 4th November, 2015. The appellant was elected as a Member of Village Panchayat. The appellant was required to furnish election expenses within 30 days in the manner prescribed by the State Election Commission in terms of Section 14B of the 1959 Act. The appellant submitted expenses with delay of 15 days. The appellant was served with a show cause notice on 3rd March, 2016 as to why she should not be disqualified on account of failure to submit the election expenses. The appellant submitted her explanation that due to ill-health there was a delay of 15 days in furni