Bhagat Ram Patanga vs The State Of Punjab

Facts: The respondent State issued a notice to the appellant, who held membership in the Municipal Committee, invoking the provision of Section 16(1) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911. This notice required the appellant to justify why he should not be dismissed from the committee under Section 16(1)(e). The allegations outlined in the notice pertained to incidents of disruption purportedly caused by the appellant during a committee meeting. The charges detailed within the notice pointed to disturbances that occurred during official proceedings. The notice served as a formal communication from the respondent state, initiating disciplinary action against the appellant and prompting him to offer a defense against the accusations leveled.

Judgment: The Governor of Punjab's decision under Section 16(1)(e) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, along with the proviso, the appellant was removed from his membership in the Committee and additionally disqualified for three years as per Section 16(2). The appellant contested this order in the High Court, which subsequently annulled the decision. However, upon appeal, the higher judicial authority affirmed the State's action after scrutinizing the note file presented by the State. The file seemingly contained pertinent information or evidence that justified the state's stance in removing and disqualifying the appellant. As a result, the appellate court upheld the Governor's order, reinstating the appellant's removal and disqualification from the Municipal Committee membership per the provisions cited under the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911.