Himachal Pradesh High court on Monday ordered to chargesheet Secretary of Nagar Panchayat Banjar and imposed a heavy cost on him for filling instant petition against the Deputy Commissioner on behalf of the elected body i.e. Nagar Panchayat, Banjar.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia, passed these orders on a writ petition filed by the Secretary of Nagar Panchayat, Banjar (Urban Local Body), Tehsil Banjar, District Kullu, imposed a heavy costs of Rs.50,000/- and directed the Director, Urban Development to charge-sheet the Secretary for having filed this petition on behalf of the elected body i.e. Naggar Panchayat, Banjar.
The petitioner, Secretary Nagar Panchayat, Banjar had filed the instant petition to allow the organizing of the Shri Shringa Rishi Ji fair, commencing from 15.5.2022 to 20.5.2022, every year as per old tradition. He had further prayed to restrain Deputy Commissioner, Kullu from issuing any notification in this regard and also restrain Panchayat Simiti/ Block Development Committee, Banjar and Devta Committee Chehni, Tehsil Banjar, District Kullu from organizing the fair of aforesaid Shri Shringa Rishi Ji.
During the course of hearing the Court noticed that the instant petition has been filed by the Secretary of Nagar Panchayat, Banjar (Urban Local Body), Tehsil Banjar, District Kullu, H.P. on the affidavit of the Secretary of the Nagar Panchayat Banjar, who happens to be an employee of the State Government. The Court observed that how Secretary of Nagar Panchayat who is a Government servant could have filed the present case that too for the reliefs as prayed for.
The Court further directed to complete the enquiry against the petitioner within six months and copy of the same has been directed to be placed before the Court on 14.11.2022. The cost has been ordered to be deposited with the Devta Committee, Chaihni, Banjar, District Kullu.
