CWP No.18380 of 2026 (O&M) 1 122 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No.18380 of 2026 (O&M) Date of decision : 07.07.2026 RAVINDER KAUR ....Petitioner Versus STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PANKAJ JAIN Present : Mr. Rajeev K. Bagoria, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. H.P.S. Ishar, Addl. A.G., Punjab. PANKAJ JAIN, J. (ORAL) By way of present writ petition, the petitioner seeks writ in the nature of mandamus directing respondent/authorities to conduct time-bound inquiry into the large-scale financial irregularities claimed to have been committed by respondent No.6. 2. Counsel for the petitioner has fairly admitted that the petitioner unsuccessfully contested election petition against respondent No.6 3. In view of conceded position, this Court finds that the present writ petition is nothing but a gross abuse of process of law having its genesis in party faction of the village and is not bona fide. 4. Needless to say that Chapter V of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the 1994 Act’) deals with property, funds, finance and accounts of Gram Panchayats. As per the mandate of DEEPAK KUMAR 2026.07.10 16:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP No.18380 of 2026 (O&M) 2 Section 86 of 1994 Act, for every Gram Panchayat, ‘Gram Panchayat Fund’ needs to be constituted in the name of Panchayat. All the expenditure and spendings of Gram Panchayat are to be charged from the said fund. Section 96 of 1994 Act provides that the accounts of the income and expenditure of every Gram Panchayat have to be kept in such form and manner as may be prescribed. Rule 24, Rule 25 and Rule 27 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Gram Panchayat) Rules, 2012 prescribe the mode and manner in which the accounts need to be maintained. Section 97 of 1994 Act provides for audit of the accounts of the Gram Panchayat. Rule 41 provides that the audit of the accounts of the Gram Panchayat needs to be carried out by audit authority prescribed by Government at least once in every year. Thus, there is a statutory mechanism provided to take care of the financial irregularities, if any, committed by Sarpanch. 4.1. Writ petitions seeking action on the private complaints alleging embezzlement of Panchayat funds need to be entertained in rare cases. Orders passed by Writ Courts lead to knee jerk action by officials defeating the objective of Part IX of the Constitution of India. Panchayats embody the idea of self government at grass root level. Representatives of people elected through democratic process need not be left to the mercy of officials and the result of elections may not be allowed to be defeated at the behest of private complaints. 4.2. In view of above, this Court finds that the present writ petition DEEPAK KUMAR 2026.07.10 16:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP No.18380 of 2026 (O&M) 3 is misconceived and is without merit. Resultantly, the same is ordered to be dismissed. 5. Pending application, if any, shall also stand disposed off. July 07, 2026 (Pankaj Jain) Dpr Judge Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No DEEPAK KUMAR 2026.07.10 16:35 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document