HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.19313 OF 2010 Date: 13.08.2010 Between: J. Ramesh. … Petitioner And The Government of Andhra Pradesh, rep. by its Principle Secretary, Panchayatraj and Rural Development Department & others. … Respondents HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.19313 of 2010 ORDER: The petitioner is an elected Sarpanch of Dongathurthi Grampanchayat in Darmaram Mandal of Karimnagar District. In the writ petition, he has questioned the action of respondents in not restoring charge to him as Sarpanch of the Grampanchayat. The Collector (Panchayatraj Wing), Karimnagar, passed orders, dated 7th January 2010, in Proceedings No.A6/3060/08-PTs, placing the petitioner under suspension, in exercise of powers under Section 249(6) of the A.P.Panchayatraj Act, 1994, on the allegation of misappropriation of Grampanchayat funds. Further, the Government, by order dated 7th of April 2010, issued in G.O.Rt.No.459, extended the period of suspension for a further period of three months from 07.04.2010. The said period is also expired by 07.07.2010. When the matter came up on earlier occasion, it was adjourned to enable the learned Government Pleader to get instructions. Today, when the matter is called, it is fairly submitted by the learned Government Pleader that although proceedings are initiated against the petitioner under Section 249(1) of the A.P. Panchayatraj Act, no further orders are passed against the petitioner. A perusal of the proceedings under Section 249 of the Panchayatraj Act shows that under Section 249(6), the Collector is empowered to place the Sarpanch under suspension only for a period of three months and further power is conferred on the Government to extend it only for a further period of three months. In this case, the suspension orders are extended for a period of three months from 07.04.2010 and the said period is also expired by 07.07.2010. In view of expiry of the suspension period, there is no reason in not allowing the petitioner to work as Sarpanch of the Grampanchayat. For the aforesaid reasons, this writ petition is disposed of, with a direction to the respondents to allow the petitioner to function as Sarpanch of Dongathurthy Grampanchayat in Dharmaram Mandal of Karimnagar District. However, it is made clear that the petitioner shall draw the Grampanchayat funds under the counter signature of the Divisional Panchayat Officer, Peddapalli, towards any expenditure to be incurred to the Grampanchayat. It is open for the respondents to continue the inquiry initiated against the petitioner under Section 249(1) of the A.P. Panchayatraj Act, 1994. No order as to costs. ______________________ R. SUBHASH REDDY, J 13th August 2010 N.B: Furnish C.C. in two days. (b/o) ajr