1 WP1255/2011 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.1255 OF 2011 Sou Jayashri Subhash Mehetre and Ors .... Petitioners. V/s State of Maharashtra through Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development Department Mantralaya, Mumbai & Anr. ....Respondents. Mr. V.B. Nighot for the Petitioners. Mr. S.N. Bhosale, AGP for Respondent Nos. 1 and 2. Mentioned, not on board. CORAM: V. M. KANADE, J. DATE : 8th February, 2011 P.C.:- 1. The grievance of the Petitioners is that, after the order of disqualification and cancellation of membership was passed by Respondent No.2, Petitioners preferred an appeal under section 39(3) of the Bombay Village Panchayat Act before the Hon’ble Minister. Application for stay was also filed alongwith the appeal. Appeal was filed within 15 days from the date of the impugned order. However, the Hon’ble 2 WP1255/2011 Minister has not decided the appeal. He, however, refused to pass any order on stay application. 2. Since there is statutory appeal provided, the Hon’ble Minister either should have heard the appeal expeditiously or should have decided the stay application. Under these circumstances, it will be appropriate if the stay is granted to the impugned order dated 24/01/2011 during pendency of appeal before the Hon’ble Minister. 3. Accordingly stay is granted to the impugned order dated 24/01/2011 during pendency of appeal before the Hon’ble Minister. The Hon’ble Minister is directed to decide the appeal as expeditiously as possible. 4. Writ Petition is accordingly disposed off. (V.M. KANADE, J.) 3 WP1255/2011