Team Herald
MARGAO: The District Judge South Goa yesterday quashed and set aside the 7th April 2017 order of the Director of Panchayats who had suspended the former Sarpanch of Chandor-Cavorim Etelvina Antao and debarred her from contesting the panchayat elections for five years,
The District Judge further ordered the Director of Panchayats to decide the case afresh after considering all the materials on record and the submissions of the parties before him, according to the law,
The respondent Raymond D’Cruz who had filed the appeal before the Director of Panchayat was not present nor were any arguments presented on his behalf before the District Court.
The District Judge noted the Director of Panchayats did not pronounce the judgement but only passed the order and that too without giving any reasons to show the affected party why the order was against him or her.
Besides the judge relied upon the case of Laxmikant Chaudhari wherein the High Court had observed that all material before the judge should be examined and only then a speaking order be passed and noted that in the instant case the Director of Panchayats passed the order without considering the former Sarpanch’s reply.
Holding that the order of the DoP was without application of mind, the District Judge ordered that the Director of Panchayats order be quashed and set aside.
and that the Director of Panchayats decide the application afresh.
