The Orissa High Court has declared the no-confidence motion against Tikhiri Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Chameli Ojha null and void.
The court ruled that the administration failed to adhere to mandatory statutory provisions and procedural safeguards during the initiation of the motion.
The controversy began when 21 out of 22 ward members of the Tikhiri Gram Panchayat in the Mahakalapada block moved a no-confidence motion against Ojha. Acting on the requisition, the local administration scheduled a no-confidence vote for August 13, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown at the grassroots level.
Challenging the move, Ojha approached the High Court through a writ petition, alleging severe procedural irregularities. Her counsel argued that the proceedings violated Section 24 of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, which governs the removal of a sarpanch.
According to the Act, a sarpanch must be served with copies of the formal notice, the requisition, and the proposed resolution. Furthermore, the statute mandates a strict 15-day notice period to ensure the incumbent has adequate time to address the allegations and prepare a response.
Upon examining the case records, the High Court observed that these essential statutory requirements were bypassed, rendering the entire process legally unsustainable. Consequently, the court quashed the motion, providing immediate legal relief to Ojha and reinforcing the importance of adhering to due process in local administration.
