Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) file by ex-Sarpanch challenging the demolition of an old Government Girls School building and subsequent construction of shopping complex on same land at Gram Panchayat, Chandwasa, Jila Panchayat, Mandsaur, a Division Bench of Gajendra Singh and Vivek Rusia,* JJ., dismissed the PIL, finding no illegality in the actions of the Gram Panchayat and imposed a of ₹25,000/- on the petitioner.
The petitioner alleged that the Gram Panchayat’s resolutions dated 08-02-2024 and 04-03-2023 approving the construction were illegal. It was contended that the prescribed procedures under relevant laws were not followed, including seeking the Collector’s permission. It was informed that a civil suit for injunction against the demolition had already been filed by a journalist, before the Civil Judge, Junior Division, Garoth.
However, respondents argued that the old school building was in a dilapidated condition, and a new school building had already been constructed on alternate land in 2006. It was contended that the shopping complex was constructed under a district plan grant, per the State Government’s circular. It was argued that the petitioner’s PIL was motivated by personal grievances and adverse publicity, causing delays in auctioning shops and revenue generation.
The Court noted that the Gram Panchayat’s actions were in compliance with the district plan grant and necessitated by the dilapidated condition of the old building. The Court stated that the Panchayat acted within its authority to construct the shopping complex to generate revenue.
The Court stated that the petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence of procedural lapses or illegality. The Court found that the petitioner filed the PIL with malicious intent, evidenced by adverse publicity and actions that disrupted the Panchayat’s ability to auction shops.
The Court dismissed the PIL was dismissed with costs of ₹25,000 to be deposited by the petitioner in the Gram Panchayat’s account. The Court stated that failure to deposit within four weeks would result in recovery through the Collector.
[Jitendra Singh Mandloi v. State of M.P., W.P. No.6276 of 2024, Decided on 08-01-2025]
*Judgment by Justice Vivek Rusia
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Ms. Kirti Saboo, Counsel for the Petitioners
Shri Bhuwan Gautam, Counsel for the Respondents/State
Shri Prasanna R. Bhatnagar, Counsel for the Respondent No. 8 and 9