HC stays filing of case against sarpanch

Tribune News Service

Panipat, September 21

The Punjab and Haryana High Court restrained the government from taking any coercive action against the Sarpanch of Manana village of Samalkha on September 19.

The HC passed these orders after hearing a petition filed by Sunita Devi, Sarpanch, challenging the recommendation of Health Minister Anil Vij who had ordered the registration of a criminal case against her for embezzlement of panchayat funds during a grievances committee meeting held here on August 31.

The Sarpanch approached the HC and sought direction to restrain the Haryana Government from taking any coercive action against her.

The HC restrained the government from taking any coercive action against petitioner Sunita Devi and also issued notice of motion for November 20.

Sandeep Rathi of Manana village had filed a complaint on the CM Window on August 23, 2017, against Sunita for involvement in allegedly misusing panchayat funds and the low quality of development work at the village.

Following the complaint, SDM, Samalkha, conducted an inquiry and found several anomalies in the development works there. DC Sumedha Kataria had also served show-cause notice to the Sarpanch in July on the basis of the inquiry report.

Then, the complainant raised the matter before Health Minister Anil Vij during the grievance committee meeting held on August 31. Vij had recommended the registration of a case against the Sarpanch.