Petitioners told to approach HC in PR Act case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 19 2024:
The Supreme Court of India has reportedly directed petitioner of a case filed under Section 22 and 109 of Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 to take the matter to the Manipur High Court instead.
On February 16, the petition filed by Pheiroijam Heramani and others, mentioning the State of Manipur and others as respondents, was heard by a double bench of Supreme Court comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan.
The petition questioned the constitutionality of Section 22 (Appointment of an Administrative Committee or Administrator on failure to elect members of Gram Panchayats and in other cases) and 109 (Removal of difficulties) of Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 .
It also mentioned the administrative decision taken by the Manipur cabinet on December 15, 2023 and circulation of the same on January 26, 2024 .
The petitioners prayed to the apex court to either give directive or pass an order for invalidation of the unconstitutional provision of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 and also quash the order issued by the state's additional chief secretary (RD&PR) on January 26, 2024.They further requested the apex court to direct the state authorities to formulate precise guidelines which would not take the wishes or benefit of the state government while holding the elections.
They also urged the court to direct the state government to allow the elect representatives of Gram Panchayats to carry out activities through their respective posts and elected ZP representatives of Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Jiribam, Kakching and Thoubal districts to do the same.
The petitioners then made a prayer to the court to pass the order as it sees fit.
After listening to the prayers of the petitioners, the double bench of Supreme Court observed that the prayers would be best heard at the Manipur High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
As such, it did not accept the writ petition and advised the petitioners to approach the High Court instead, while dismissing the petition.