SC Slams Chhattisgarh Govt Over 'High-Handed' Removal Of Woman Sarpanch, Orders 1 Lakh Compensation

Terming it as a case of "high handedness" by the government in removing an elected woman Sarpanch, the court that instead of admiring her commitments or extending a helping hand for what she intended to do for her village, she has been wronged for absolutely unjustified reasons.

The court termed proceedings against her a "lame excuse" to remove her and held that she was removed on false pretext. 

Source : ANI

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Chhattisgarh government over harassment faced by a woman Sarpanch and closed proceedings initiated against her for alleged delay in construction work in the village. 

Terming it as a case of "high handedness" by the government in removing an elected woman Sarpanch, the court that instead of admiring her commitments or extending a helping hand for what she intended to do for her village, she has been wronged for absolutely unjustified reasons.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the Chhattisgarh government to reinstate Sonam Lakra as the village Sarpanch and pay her Rs 1 lakh as compensation for the harassment and forcing her to step down from the Sarpanch post.

While quashing proceedings against her, the bench explained that construction work needs engineers, contractors, timely supply of labour, and a Sarpanch can not be held responsible for the delay.

While hearing the case, the bench asked: "How can Sarpanch be held liable for delay unless there is delay in allocation of work or delay in specific duty of the elected body?"

The court termed proceedings against her a "lame excuse" to remove her and held that she was removed on false pretext. 

The court took strong exception to the State government and directed that the compensation amount of Rs 1 lakh should be released within a week and recovered from the State officers responsible for her removal.

When the counsel for respondents told the court that she was supposed to go before higher authorities, Justice Kant remarked, "You want a Sarpanch to go with a begging bowl before the babu...some clerk who has been promoted as CEO...".

Sonam Lakra, a 27-year-old woman, successfully contested the election of sarpanch of the Sajbahar Gram Panchayat but was forced to step down after alleged delay in completion of construction projects for roads.

After the High Court refused to grant any relief to her, she moved the top court.