Yamunanagar's Kait village sarpanch suspended for concealing criminal case in elections

Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta has suspended Lal Singh, the sarpanch of Kait village in Yamunanagar district, for concealing details of a criminal case in his nomination papers while contesting the election for the post of sarpanch.

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As per the official order, the sarpanch will no longer be allowed to participate in any gram panchayat proceedings. He has also been directed to hand over all official records and relinquish possession of any movable or immovable panchayat property under his control.

The action followed a complaint received by the Deputy Commissioner, alleging that Lal Singh had a criminal case registered against him but failed to disclose it in Column Number-5 of his nomination form. Upon verification from the police station concerned in Yamunanagar, the allegation was confirmed to be true.

Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta said based on a preliminary inquiry report from Investigative Officer-cum-Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Jagadhri, a show- cause notice was issued to Lal Singh under Section 51 of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, on February 21, 2025.

"The sarpanch submitted his reply on February 27, 2025, but his response was found unsatisfactory," said DC Gupta.

To ensure a fair process, Lal Singh was also given an opportunity for a personal hearing on March 13. However, even during the hearing, he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the concealment of facts in his nomination form.

"Even during the personal hearing, the sarpanch could not submit any satisfactory reply regarding the concealment of facts in Column Number-5 of the nomination form, despite a criminal case being registered against him and pending in court," the Deputy Commissioner said.

Following these findings, the suspension order was issued, and Lal Singh has been barred from further participation in gram panchayat activities.