C.O.C.P. No.1344 of 2011 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT AT CHANDIGARH C.O.C.P. No.1344 of 2011 Date of Decision: 20.09.2011 Balram Singh, Sarpanch ....Petitioner Versus Ranjit Singh Block Development and Panchayat Officer ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE AJAY KUMAR MITTAL Present: Mr.V.K. Sandhir, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. G.S. Cheema, Sr.D.A.G., Punjab. ***** AJAY KUMAR MITTAL J. (ORAL) This petition has been filed under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act for punishing the respondent for not allowing the petitioner to work as Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Malpur, Block Aur, Distt. Nawanshahar in wilful disobedience of order 28.03.2011 (Annexure P-3) passed by the Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary Rural Development and Panchayats Punjab titled as Balram Singh Vs. Director, Rural Development and Panchayats Punjab whereby the suspension order dated 16.02.2011 (Annexure P-1) passed by the Director Rural Development and Panchayat was set aside and the petitioner was ordered to continue as Sarpanch. On the strength of Division Bench judgement of this Court in AIR 1969 Punjab & Haryana 435, it was contended by the counsel for the petitioner that this Court under the provisions of Contempt of Courts Act is empowered to punish for not complying with the orders of the Financial Commissioner passed while exercising quasi judicial powers as it would be a Court subordinate to the High Court. C.O.C.P. No.1344 of 2011 2 Notice was issued to the respondents. Reply has been filed. A copy of the same has been provided to the counsel opposite. In Para-3 of the order passed by Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Punjab, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Chandigarh (exercising the powers of the Government under Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994), the Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab, it has been stated that the petitioner, Sh.Balram Singh Sarpanch and Sh.Madan Lal Panch are operating the Bank Account of Gram Panchayat, Malpur and further that petitioner Balram Singh has been working on the post of Sarpanch regularly. In view of the above no further action is required in this petition and the same stands disposed of. 20.09.2011 (AJAY KUMAR MITTAL) tarunsahni JUDGE