Odisha: Collector Asked To Restore Post To Sarpach Removed For Having ‘3 Children’

Cuttack: Sonepur Collector Aboli Sunil Naravane has been asked to restore Pramodini Juadi, whom she had removed for having three living children, as sarpanch of Mayabarha gram panchayat under Dungarapali block.

Setting aside the collector’s order, the Orissa High Court observed that there was “serious lacking in compliance of natural justice”. While the collector had examined witnesses and taken their deposition, no opportunity was given for their cross-examination. Naravane had cited the report of the district panchayat office but had not supplied a copy to Pramodini for placing her arguments.

“The collector followed a procedure unknown to the field of law and adjudication particularly involving such serious issues. There is no place for casual approach to such proceedings as it involves an attempt to unseat an elected representative in exercise of power under Section 26 of the Odisha Grama Panchayats Act, 1964,” Justice Biswanath Rath said on Tuesday and remitted the matter to the collector for fresh disposal within three weeks.

“Till finalization of proceedings before the collector, there should be discharge of financial responsibility jointly by the sarpanch and the naib sarpanch,” he added.

After being disqualified, Pramodini Juadi challenged the February 2 order in HC and claimed that she had two children, Twinkly Juadi and Payal Juadi, who are her daughters. The allegation that she had a third child Atul Juadi was baseless, she had pleaded.