IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CMPMO No. 430 of 2004. Date of decision: 06.12.2010. Parkash Chand …Petitioner. Versus Director Panchayati Raj & Anr. …Respondents. Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Gupta, J. Whether approved for reporting?1 No. For the petitioner: Mr. Sanjay Jaswal, Advocate For the respondents: Mr. Vivek Singh Thakur, Addl. AG. Deepak Gupta, J. (Oral) This petition is directed against the order dated 9.11.2004 passed by the Director Panchayati Raj dismissing the appeal of the petitioner and upholding the order of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra. 2. It would be pertinent to mention that the petitioner filed an application for regularization of his encroachment over the forest land in Mohal Tharu, Maoza Jangal, Tehsil Jawali, District Kangra. He later filed an affidavit on 24.11.2003 stating therein that the possession of the land is with the Forest 1 Whether the reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? Yes. Department. The report of the Divisional Forest Officer was called for. 3. This petition has become infructuous in view of the fact that the petitioner who was appointed as Pradhan sometime in the year 2000. His election was set aside, but the order of setting aside the election was stayed by this Court. Therefore, the petitioner continued as Pradhan. In fact subsequently elections were held in the year 2005 and now fresh elections are to be held in the month of December, 2010. Therefore, nothing survives in the petition which is dismissed. In case any question is raised with regard to the eligibility of the petitioner to fight the new election, the same shall be decided strictly in accordance with law without reference to the earlier orders. No costs. (Deepak Gupta) Judge December, 6, 2010 (guleria)