NAINITAL: The Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Thursday heard a public interest litigation seeking the removal of Rajni Bhandari, the president of the district panchayat of Chamoli, from her post.
The petitioner, Chamoli-based Prithvi Singh Negi, alleged that Bhandari had allowed "sub-standard" material to be used in the repair work of the route of Nanda Devi Raj Jat yatra -- a pilgrimage held once in 12 years in Garhwal -- in 2012-13.
The division bench of chief justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice RC Khulbe directed the government to decide the merits of the matter and take a decision within two months on the basis of the allegations made. The court also disposed of PIL after the hearing on Thursday.
Bhandari's "misuse of position" was confirmed in a probe report by the state government, Negi claimed in his petition. He alleged that she "wasted government money" by doing "arbitrary work".
He also accused the government of taking no action despite its findings in the probe. "She was instead re-elected as the zila panchayat president," he said in the petition. "The petitioner again made a representation to the government on March 7, 2021 but no action was taken. We, therefore, approached the high court," said his lawyer, MC Pant.
