HC seeks Govt reply over hearing of appeals via video-conferencing
| Date :19-Jun-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has asked the State Government to spell out whether it has arrangements to hear the statutory appeals via video-conferencing during lockdown period. Due to limited staff, restriction on movement, the hearing of statutory appeals has come to a standstill, claimed a petitioner-Sarpanch, who was disqualified for the post while seeking arrangement for hearing of appeals. While hearing a petition filed Ambadas Uike, Sarpanch of Ramgaon Gram Panchayat who was disqualified by Divisional Commissioner, Amravati, Justice Vinay Joshi underlined the importance of an effective system in place to hear such appeal.
The petitioner was disqualified on March 9, 2020 following the complaint filed by one Rahul Tayde, husband of Manju Tayde, Deputy Sarpanch. The petitioner challenged the same before the State Government which remained pending due to lockdown. Since physical hearing was not possible, the appeal was not decided since last three months. The petitioner sought early disposal of his appeal or to allow him to continue as Sarpanch during pendency of appeal.
The High Court, while asking the details of such arrangements, observed that the authorities concerned should create some arrangement so that aggrieved persons could agitate their grievance. In courts, the alternate arrangement of hearing through video-conferencing is made. The court asked the Government Pleader to spell out within two weeks whether the Government had made any such arrangement. Adv Vikrant Giramkar appeared for the petitioner while AGP H D Dubey represented the State.