Kataka: The Orissa High Court has declared invalid the no-confidence motion initiated against Chameli Ojha, sarpanch of Tikhiri panchayat in Mahakalapada block of Kendrapara district, providing her major relief.
A single-judge bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra delivered the verdict Wednesday, quashing the notice issued for the no-confidence motion. The court found that the notice and the meeting convened to consider the motion had violated the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act and the rules framed under it.
According to sources, 21 of the 22 ward members of Tikhiri panchayat had moved the no-confidence motion against Ojha. Challenging the proceedings, she approached the High Court, alleging that the action, requisition and notice had not been supplied to her before the meeting, as required by law.
She sought the quashing of the notice and the proceedings initiated against her. The High Court concluded the hearing August 11 and reserved its verdict. In an interim order, it had allowed the no-confidence vote to take place but directed that the result could not be declared without the court’s permission.
Allowing Ojha’s petition, the High Court ruled in her favour, clearing the way for her to continue as sarpanch.
