Meherun Khatun vs State Of West Bengal & Ors on 7 July, 2021
During the pandemic situation where the Gram
Panchayat has additional duties to perform under the
Disaster Management Act, in my prima facie opinion, if 10
out of the 13 members do not have confidence on the
Pradhan, the entire operation and the business of the Gram
Panchayat, would come to a stand still. This impasse cannot
be allowed as the local bodies need to function on a war like
footing, during this outbreak. Non-cooperation amongst the
members with their superior, would cause irreparable injury
to the local people whose welfare, sustenance, medication,
health facilities and vaccination would depend on the proper
functioning of the Gram Panchayat. The decision in Gopal
Kumar v. State of (supra) was rendered in a separate set of
facts and the Division Bench held as follows:-