IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP. No. 16314 of 2009 Date of Decision: 26.10.2009. Surjit Singh --Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others --Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI. Present:- Mr. H.S. Batth, Advocate for the petitioner. *** PERMOD KOHLI.J (ORAL) The petitioner has challenged the election of respondent no.5 for the post of panch of village Nurpur Kirpal Ke, Tehsil & District Muktsar before the respondent no.4. It is alleged that a number of dates were fixed for arguments right from 27.8.2009 to 5.11.2009 but the matter has not been decided till date. From the averments made in para 6 of the writ petition, it appears that within a span of two months the Tribunal has fixed as many as five dates. This is sufficient to indicate that the Tribunal is taking steps to decide the matter expeditiously. Be that as it may. Now the next date of hearing is 5.11.2009 for arguments. Keeping in view the above circumstances, respondent no.4 is directed to decide the election petition not later than two months. The other prayer made in the petition is to stay the election of Sarpanch. This prayer cannot be acceded to for the simple reason that the petitioner himself is not an elected panch. His petition to challenge the election of successful candidate is yet to be considered by the Tribunal and under such circumstances the election of the Sarpanch cannot be stopped. This petition is disposed of in view of the above observations. (PERMOD KOHLI) JUDGE 26.10.2009 lucky