Introduction:

A Congress councillor, Akshaydeep Chaudhary, has approached the Punjab & Haryana High Court, urging prompt action to conduct elections for the positions of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor within the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula, Haryana. The plea contends that the prolonged vacancy, contrary to the Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, and the Haryana Municipal Corporation Election Rules, 1994, has hindered the democratic process and denied residents of Panchkula their right to representation. Chaudhary’s petition further asserts that this inaction violates constitutional provisions and seeks court directions for the immediate scheduling and fair conduct of these overdue elections.

Arguments of Both Sides:

Advocates Pratap Singh, Parth Singh, Ishwar Singh, and Sachin Singh, representing petitioner Akshaydeep Chaudhary, argued that the extended delay in holding elections for Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions within Panchkula’s Municipal Corporation defies the statutory mandates set by the Municipal Corporation Act and Election Rules. They emphasized the impact of this delay on the democratic process and the residents’ right to representation. The petition contends that such inaction goes against constitutional provisions (Articles 243 R and 243S) that mandate regular municipal elections for the preservation of democratic governance at the local level.

On the other side, the State of Haryana, represented through its Secretary, Department of Urban Local Bodies, and other respondents, has not yet presented their arguments.

Court’s Judgement:

As the case is currently at the petition stage, the court is yet to deliver a final judgment. However, the petitioner seeks the High Court’s intervention to direct the Haryana government to promptly schedule and conduct elections for the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions in the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula. The plea urges the court to declare the respondent’s inaction as unconstitutional and requests other appropriate reliefs. The court will likely assess the legal validity of the petitioner’s claims and determine whether the extended delay in conducting these elections violates the statutory provisions and constitutional rights of the residents.