STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Union Territory administration to conduct elections for the post of Lambardar in multiple villages within three months, following petitions from residents demanding the posts be filled through due electoral process rather than temporary appointments.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal issued the common directive while disposing of a batch of petitions led by Kabal Singh vs UT of J&K & Ors [WP(C) No. 549/2023 and connected matters], in which petitioners were represented by Advocate K.L. Pandita and the respondents by Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli. The petitioners limited their plea to the holding of elections for the vacant Lambardar posts in their respective villages.
The court ordered the official respondents to conduct the elections within three months from receipt of the order and to release any arrears of remuneration or salary due to the petitioners.
In a related case, Talib Hussain vs UT of J&K & Ors [WP(C) No. 505/2023], argued by Advocate Irfaan Khan for the petitioner and Sr. AAG Monika Kohli with Advocate Imtiaz Mir for the respondents, the appointment of a temporary Lambardar for Village Mulass Kalwa in Mahore tehsil of Reasi district was challenged as being in violation of the J&K Lambardari Act, 1972. The court noted that the appointment was for a fixed period and similarly directed the administration to hold regular elections for the post within three months.
