#Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act

Bombay High Court Aurangabad Bench rules that disqualification of a panchayat member under Section 39 of the Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act cannot be based solely on the registration of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Court emphasized that trial progress, including charge sheet filing, is essential to uphold natural justice and prevent arbitrary disqualifications.

Bombay HC clarifies that repeated administrative lapses, particularly systematic violations of tender rules, constitute misconduct under the Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act, justifying removal of an elected Sarpanch. The ruling sets a precedent for holding local self-government officials accountable for statutory breaches beyond mere procedural errors.