IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. L.P.A. No.1486 of 2011 (O&M) Date of decision: 23.8.2011 Mohinder Kaur -----Appellant Vs. Financial Commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary & others -----Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ADARSH KUMAR GOEL ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY KUMAR MITTAL Present:- Ms. Rupinder Kaur Thind, Advocate for the appellant. --- ADARSH KUMAR GOEL, ACJ 1. This appeal has been preferred against order of learned Single Judge declining to interfere with the order of suspension of the appellant from the post of Sarpanch, pending inquiry into the allegations of embezzlement of funds. 2. The Director, Rural Development and Panchayats, passed order dated 3.3.2011, Annexure P-8, holding that prima facie the appellant had embezzled a sum of about `10 lacs and on that allegation, FIR dated 28.1.2011 had been registered against her. Her reply was considered which was not satisfactory. Accordingly, she was suspended from the post of Sarpanch. On appeal, the Financial Commissioner, Rural L.P.A. No.1486 of 2011 Development and Panchayats exercising powers of the State Government affirmed the order of suspension and regular departmental inquiry was directed to be conducted within two months. 3. Learned Single Judge held that no interference was called for with the order of suspension, particularly in view of the fact that the regular inquiry was to be completed within two months. 4. We have heard learned counsel for the appellant. 5. Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the appellant had not embezzled any amount and she is in a position to explain all the accounts. She is an elected representative and suspension was on account of political vendetta. 6. We do not find any ground to interfere. The matter has been looked into by the statutory authorities as well as by learned Single Judge and it has been concurrently found that there is material warranting regular inquiry for which time bound direction has been issued. In these circumstances, the suspension cannot be held to be arbitrary or illegal. The appeal is dismissed. (ADARSH KUMAR GOEL) ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE August 23, 2011 ( AJAY KUMAR MITTAL ) ashwani JUDGE 2