VERDICT EXPECTED SOON

VERDICT EXPECTED SOON

22-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------The Patna High Court has issued a significant order regarding the case concerning Jugnu Devi, the Chief Councilor of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat in Bhojpur district. While hearing Writ Petition No. 10276/2026 filed under civil writ jurisdiction, a single bench presided over by Hon'ble Justice A. Abhishek Reddy directed the State Election Commission to dispose of the pending appeal within a specified timeframe.

The case was initiated by Chief Councilor Jugnu Devi, a resident of Ward No. 9, Shahpur, Bhojpur district. The writ petition named several parties as respondents, including the State of Bihar; the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department; the Secretary of the State Election Commission; the District Magistrate of Bhojpur; the Sub-Divisional Officer of Jagdishpur; the Executive Officer of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat; as well as Krishna Kumar and Ramesh Kumar Ram.

In an oral order passed on July 17, 2026, the Court clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. With the consent of the lawyers representing both sides, the Court disposed of the petition at the preliminary hearing stage itself. The Court took particular note of the fact that the appeal in question had been pending before the State Election Commission for the past two years.

The Court directed the State Election Commission to dispose of the appeal in accordance with the law and with complete impartiality. While instructing that the process be completed as soon as possible, the Court set a deadline of four months from the date of receipt of the order.

This decision is viewed as a crucial step towards ending the prolonged period of uncertainty within the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat. Following this judicial directive, the responsibility now lies with the State Election Commission to resolve the matter in a time-bound manner, thereby fostering transparency and clarity in the functioning of the local body.