71. Provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 to apply only where provided.
(1)The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and of the Indian Evidence Act, 1972, shall not apply to proceedings before Gram Panchayats save to the extent mentioned in this Act, but the Gram Panchayat may ascertain the facts of any criminal case or civil or revenue suit by all legitimate means in its power and thereafter pass such order, sentence or decree as may be in accordance with justice, equity and good conscience.(2)Every Gram Panchayat shall maintain a brief memorandum of proceedings of each case tried by it.(3)All orders, sentences and decrees shall be passed in accordance with the decision of the majority of the members present and voting:Provided that in the case of equality of votes, person, presiding at such meeting shall in addition to his own vote as a member, have a second or casting vote.(4)All orders, sentences and decrees passed under sub-section (1) shall be announced in an open meeting of the Gram Panchayat by the person presiding at such meeting and decision shall be recorded and it shall be duly signed by all the members of the Gram Panchayat attending the meeting:Provided that any member not concurring in the decision may record the dissenting note which will form part of the decision.
