MARGAO: Chandor Cavorim Panch Raymond D’Cruz has challenged the order of the Director of Panchayat dismissing his appeal against Etelvina Antao, a former sarpanch of the village, before the Additional District Judge, Margao. The matter is slated for hearing on December 4.

It may be recalled that Raymond had filed an appeal seeking disqualification of the then Sarpanch Etelvina Antao before the Director of Panchayats who had allowed the petition and disqualified Etelvina from being a sarpanch and contesting the panchayat elections for five years.

Etelvina who was no longer the Sarpanch when the order was pronounced challenged the order before the District Court that while quashing and setting aside the Director of Panchayat’s order remanded the matter back to the Director with instructions to hear the case afresh and decide it on merits.

The Director of Panchayat heard both parties with Etelvina arguing that she is no longer the Sarpanch and not even a member of the panchayat and hence the matter did not lie. However, Raymond argued that there is every possibility of Etelvina contesting in case of a vacancy and pressed for her disqualification.

However, the Director after hearing both sides on 8th August 2017 dismissed the appeal on grounds that since Etelvina is not a member of the panchayat Sections 50 (4 & 5) of the Panchayat Raj Act were not applicable and hence dismissed the case.

Aggrieved by this order, Raymond has now filed an appeal before the District Sections Court and the matter will be taken up on 4th December.