SOM LAL vs. VIJAY LAXMI & ORS [2008] INSC 482 (14 March 2008)
A.K.MATHUR & ALTAMAS KABIR
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 5104 of 2006 A.K.MATHUR,J.
1. This appeal is directed against the order dated 26.10.2006 passed by
learned Single Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court whereby the learned
Single Judge held that the appellant- Som Lal was holding the whole-time
salaried office of a statutory body as he was on the rolls of the Market
Committee, Sirsa as Fireman on 29.6.2003 and he was disqualified from
contesting the election as Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat, Village Dhobra on
29.6.2003. Therefore, he has been rightly held to be disqualified by the
Election Tribunal.
Accordingly, the learned Single Judge upheld the order of the Election
Tribunal whereby the election of the appellant was set aside. Aggrieved against
this order dated 26.10.2006 passed by the learned Single Judge of the High
Court of Punjab & Haryana the present appeal was filed.
2. Brief facts which are necessary for disposal of this appeal are that the
appellant contested the election of Sarpanch on 29.6.2003 of Village Dhobara,
Tehsil Pathankot, and the appellant was elected and the opponent- Vijay Laxmi
lost. Total votes polled -800; 411 votes were polled in favour of the
appellant- Som Lal; 376 votes were polled in favour of Vijay Laxmi and 13 votes
were cancelled. Hence, the appellant was declared elected. The election of the
appellant was challenged by the respondent- Vijay Laxmi by filing an election
petition. The main ground taken by the respondent was that the appellant was
working as a Fireman in the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board and he
was posted at Sirsa. Therefore, he was disqualified from contesting the
election as he was holding the office of profit. The plea of the appellant was
that he was an employee of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board but
he had left the job about 7-8 years prior to the conduct of the election.
Therefore, he did not suffer from any disqualification. The respondent
contended before the Election Tribunal that as per Section 208 (1)(g) of the
Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (Punjab Act 9 of 1994) [hereinafter to be
referred to as "the Punjab Act 9 of 1994"],a person who is a
whole-time salaried employee of any local authority, Statutory Corporation or
Board or a Co-operative Society registered under the Punjab Co-operative
Societies Act, 1961 or of the State Government or the Central Government, is
disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of a Panchayat and
since the appellant was an employee of the Market Committee, therefore, he was
disqualified. As against this, it was contended by the appellant that Section
11 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act,1994( Punjab Act 19 of
1994)[hereinafter to be referred to as "the Punjab Act No.19 of 1994]
which came into force with effect from 19th September, 1994 after the Punjab
Act 9 of 1994 which came into force with effect from 21.4.1994, which deals
with disqualification, says that a person shall be disqualified for being
chosen as and for being a member of a Panchayat or a Municipality if he holds
an office of profit under a Panchayat or a Municipality; or he holds an office
of profit under the Government of India or any State Government and not for
holding office of profit under local authority and being a member of the
Marketing Board. Therefore, as per Section 11 of the Act of 19 of 1994 an
incumbent is not disqualified to contest the election. The Election Tribunal
after recording necessary evidence found that the appellant was an employee of
the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Sirsa and therefore, he was
disqualified from contesting the election for Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat of
village Dhobra. Hence, the Election Tribunal by order dated 13.12.2004 set
aside the election of the appellant before us and allowed the election petition
of the respondent- Vijay Laxmi and declared her as elected to the Office of
Sarpanch. Aggrieved against this order the appellant filed an appeal before the
High Court of Punjab & Haryana. Since there was a conflict between the two
provisions, learned Single Judge referred the matter to the Division Bench for
adjudicating the following question of law:
" Whether election of Sarpanch/ Member of a Gram Panchayat can be set
aside on the basis of disqualifications contemplated under section 208 of the
Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 or it can be set aside only on the basis of
disqualifications enumerated in Section 11 of the Punjab State Election
Commission Act, 1994?"
Learned Division Bench answered the question by order dated 22.1.2006 in
this very case which reads as follows:
" In view of what has been discussed above, we hold that a person shall
be disqualified for being chosen and for being a member of a Panchayat if, he
incurs any of the disqualifications enlisted in Section 208 of the Punjab
Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 and/or section 11 of the Punjab State Election
Commission Act, 1994."
3. Now, the question before us is whether the disqualifications enumerated
in Section 208 of the Act 9 of 1994 shall prevail or the disqualifications
mentioned in Section 11 of the Act 19 of 1994. Both the provisions are quoted
below for the sake of convenience.
" 208. Disqualification for Membership. (1) A person shall be
disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of a Panchayat if,- (a)
he is so disqualified by or under any law for the time being in force for the
purposes of elections to the Legislature of the State :
Provided that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that he is less
than twenty-five years of age, if he has attained the age of twenty-one years;
(b) has been found guilty of any corrupt practice in any election of a Gram
Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti or Zilla Parishad;
(c) has been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude or an offence
implying of any defect of a Sarpanch or Panch or Gram Panchayat or member of a
Panchayat Samiti or Zila Parishad, unless a period of five years has elapsed
since his conviction; or (d) has been convicted of an election offence; or (e)
has been ordered to give security for good behaviour under section 110 of the
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; or (f) has been notified as disqualified for
appointment as public servant except on medical grounds; or (g) is a whole-time
salaried employee of any local authority, Statutory Corporation or Board or a
Co- operative Society registered under the Punjab Co- operative Societies
Act,1961, or of the State Government or the Central Government; or (h) is
registered as a habitual offender xx xx xx
11. Disqualifications for membership of a Panchayat or a Municipality.- A
person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being a member of a
Panchayat or a Municipality,- (a) if he is not a citizen of India, or has
voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any
acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State; or (b) if he is
of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or ) if he is an
undischarged insolvent; or (d) if he has, in proceedings for questioning the validity
or regularity of an election, been found guilty of any corrupt practice; or (e)
if he has been found guilty of any offence punishable under Section 153A or
Section 171E or section 171F or section 376 of section 376A of section 376B or
section 376C or section 376D or section 498A or section 505 of the Indian Penal
Code, 1960 or any offence punishable under Chapter XIII of this Act unless a
period of six years has elapsed since the date of such conviction; or (f) if he
holds an office of profit under a Panchayat or a Municipality; or (g) if he
holds an office of profit under the Government of India or any State
Government; or (h) xx xx xx"
Both the provisions bearing on the subject have been quoted and the
disqualifications given in both the provisions make it clear that so far as Act
9 of 1994 is concerned, there any person holding office of profit under the
local authority, statutory corporation or Board or a Co-operative society or
under the State Government or the Central Government has been disqualified
whereas under Section 11 (f) & (g) of Act 19 of 1994, a person shall be
disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of a Panchayat or a
Municipality if he holds an office of profit under a Panchayat or a
Municipality; or under the Government of India or any State Government.
Therefore, it is to be seen whether this disqualification which has come into
force under the Act 19 of 1994 i.e. on 19.9.1994 will prevail or the earlier
disqualifications as prescribed in Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994 will prevail.
In this connection, the important provisions which have substantial bearing on
the subject are Sections 142 and 143 of the Act 19 of 1994 are relevant which
read as under :
" 142. Over-riding effect.- The provisions of this Act shall have over-riding
effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other
law for the time being in force relating to the conduct of elections to the
Panchayats or Municipalities or any incidental matter thereto.
143.Repeal and savings.- The provisions of any State Law corresponding to
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed:
Provided that such repeal shall not attect- (a) the previous operation of
the corresponding provisions of any State Law so repealed or anything duly done
or suffered thereunder; or (b) any right, privilege, obligation or liability
occurred, accrued or incurred under the corresponding provisions of any State
Law so repealed; or (c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in
respect of any offence committed against the corresponding provisions of any
State Law so repealed; or (d) any legal proceedings, investigation or remedy in
respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty,
forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid, and any such legal proceedings,
investigation or remedy may be instituted or continued or enforced and any such
penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if this Act had not been
passed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the
corresponding provisions of any State Law so repealed (including any
notification, order, notice issued, application made or permission granted, if
any) which is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, shall be deemed
to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act, as
if this Act was in force at the time, such thing was so done or action so taken
and shall continue to be in force unless and until superseded by anything done
or any action taken under this Act."
4. Learned counsel for the appellant submitted before us that when
disqualifications have been prescribed in both the Acts i.e. Act 9 of 1994 and
Act 19 of 1994 and the Act 19 of 1994 being subsequent in point of time would
prevail specially when there is section 142 which has laid down the over-riding
effect notwithstanding anything contained in any other law which is
inconsistent with this Act shall prevail and similarly, in Section 143 it
clearly contemplates that all other provisions of State law corresponding to
the provisions of this Act shall stand repealed, save to the extent that the
provisions which are not inconsistent with this Act. Therefore, in view of
Sections 142 and 143 of the Act 19 of 1994, the over-riding effect of the
subsequent legislation is that the legislature in its wisdom while enacted the
Act 19 of 1994 which has come into force with effect from 19.9.1994 much after
the Act 9 of 1994, intended that this provision shall prevail especially when
it has the over- riding effect and the repeal is specific. Therefore, the clear
intention of the legislature should be given effect to. In support of his
contention, learned counsel for the appellant invited our attention to the
decision of this Court in Hyderabad Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works Ltd. etc.
v. State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.
([1964] 7 S.C.R. 376) and in Ratan Lal Adukia v. Union of India [(1989) 3
SCC 537].
5. As against this, Mr.P.S.Patwalia, learned senior counsel for the
respondents submitted that there is no express repeal but it is only by implication
and submitted that both the Acts can be read harmoniously and in support of his
contention, invited our attention to the following decisions of this Court.
-
(2003) 12 SCC 274 Kishorebhai Khamanchand Goyal v State of Gujarat &
Anr.
-
1989 Supp.(1) SCC 589 Jugal Kishore v.State of Maharashtra & Ors.
-
(1986) 2 SCC 209 Mary Roy & Ors. V.State of Kerala & Ors.
-
(1980) 4 SCC 435 M/s. Jain Ink Manufacturing Company v. Life Insurance
Corporation of India & Anr.
-
(1969) 3 SCC 801 vi. Principles of Statutory Interpretation [11th Edn.2008] By Justice G.P.Singh (Chapter 7, Synopsis 4 at page 637-639)
6. Both the Acts i.e. Act 9 of 1994 and Act 19 of 1994 came into being in
view of seventy-third amendment and seventy-fourth amendment of the Constitution
of India to provide more teeth to local self government. By this amendment
under Part IX of the Constitution, Article 243 was amended. Likewise by
inserting Part IXA, Municipalities were also strengthened. Self-governance were
given to the local bodies. As a result of these seventy-third and
seventy-fourth amendments, The Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994(Punjab Act 9 of
1994) and the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994 (Punjab Act No. 19 of
1994) were enacted. The preamble of The Punjab Panchayati Raj Act,1994 ( Punjab
Act 9 of 1994) reads as under :
" Whereas it is expedient to replace the present enactments by a
comprehensive new enactment to establish a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in
the State of Punjab with elected bodies at the village, Block and District
levels, in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution (Seventy-third
Amendment) Act, 1992 for greater participation of the people and more effective
implementation of rural development and Panchayati Raj system;
Likewise the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994 was enacted and the
preamble reads as under:
" An Act to provide for the constitution of the State Election
Commission and for vesting the superintendence, direction and control of the
preparation of election rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to the
Panchayats and Municipalities in the State of Punjab, in the State Election
Commission, and to provide for all matters relating to, or ancillary or in
connection with the elections to the Panchayats and Municipalities, in terms of
the provisions of Parts IX and IX-A of the Constitution of India."
This is also a fact that the Act 9 of 1994 came into effect on 21.4.1994 and
the Act 19 of 1994 came into effect on 19.9.1994. Act 19 of 1994 is definitely
later in point of time and here under Section 11 (f) & (g) the
disqualifications have been prescribed.
Though similar disqualifications existed under Section 208 of the Act of 9
of 1994 but subsequently the legislature in its wisdom has reduced the
disqualifications and confined only to the area that one should not hold office
of profit under a Panchayat or a Municipality or under the Government of India
or any State Government. Thus, the legislature in its wisdom has not considered
it proper to continue with the disqualification of being an employee of any
local authority, Statutory Corporation or Board or a Co-operative Society.
Had that been the intention of the legislature then perhaps they would have
specifically provided the disqualifications under Section 11 of the Act 19 of
1994. Section 11 clearly says that a person shall be disqualified for being
chosen as, and for being a member of a Panchayat or a Municipality if he holds
an office of profit under a Panchayat or a Municipality; or if he holds an
office of profit under the Government of India or any State Government; whereas
Section 208 (g) says a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and
for being a member of a Panchayat or a Municipality if he is a whole-time
salaried employee of any local authority, Statutory Corporation or Board or a
Co-operative Society registered under the Punjab Co- operative Societies Act,
1961, or of the State Government or the Central Government. But in the
subsequent Act 19 of 1994 the area of disqualification has been narrowed down.
Since the Act 19 of 1994 is subsequent in point of time and it also has the
provisions of Sections 142 and 143 which clearly contemplate that it shall have
the complete over-riding effect, reading of Section 142 makes it clear that the
legislature were aware of the earlier disqualification and subsequently they
have inserted the disqualifications under sub- sections (f) & (g) of
Section 11 so far as the office of profit is concerned and provided over-riding
effect and have clearly laid down that notwithstanding anything inconsistent
therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force relating to
the conduct of elections to the Panchayats or Municipalities or any incidental
matter thereto shall stand repealed. Therefore, the mandate of the legislature
appears on the face of it very clear and they have saved the actions under
Section 143 to the extent that any other law which is inconsistent with this
law shall stand repealed and only that action taken under the corresponding
provisions of any State law which were in force at that time, those actions
shall only be saved and not otherwise. Therefore, the saving clause is very
limited if any action has been taken under the earlier legislation before
coming into force of Act 19 of 1994, those actions would be saved after the
coming into force of Act 19 of 1994. The mandate of legislature is
categorically clear in view of Sections 142 and 143 and it admits of no two
opinion in the matter. The courts should be very slow to interfere with the mandates
of the legislature unless there are compelling reasons for doing so. In the
present case, the clear mandate of the legislature was that anything which is
inconsistent with the Act 19 of 1994 shall be deemed to have been repealed
leaves no room for us to take a contrary view of the matter. With respect we
cannot agree with the view taken by the Division Bench of the High Court that
both the provisions can be read harmoniously i.e. Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994
read with Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994 but we regret it cannot be. Harmonious
reading of both the provisions will be limited to the extent of Section 11 of
the Act 19 of 1994. When Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994 clearly contemplates that
these are the only disqualifications mentioned in sub-sections (f) & (g),
which are already present in Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994, beyond that it
cannot be read. If Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994 lays down further
disqualifications then those disqualifications will run counter to the
disqualifications as mentioned in Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994.
If Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994 is inconsistent to the extent of Section 11
of Act 19 of 1994, then to this extent the provisions of Section 208 of Act 9
of 1994 cannot be read. Since there are only four disqualifications mentioned
in Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994, the rest of the disqualifications cannot be
imported by implication of the Act 9 of 1994. Mr. Patwalia, learned senior
counsel for the respondents tried to persuade us that the theory of not
expressly repealed by implication should be read into but we regret, it cannot
be. The intention of the legislature is clear and there is no reason why the
intention of the legislature be not given effect to. In fact the Division Bench
of the Punjab & Haryana High Court held that Section 11 should be read with
Section 208; that means Section 208 can survive to the extent that it is
consistent with Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994. Rest part of section 208 i.e. a
person who is holding office of profit under local authority, Statutory Corporation,
Board or Co-operative Society will not be disqualified. Therefore, if a person
holds an office of profit under the local authority, Statutory Corporation or
Board or a Co-operative Society cannot by implication be said to be a person
disqualified under the Act. These provisions can be read harmoniously to the
extent that if a person is holding office under the Panchayat or a
Municipality, or under the Government of India or any State Government, to that
extent it will be deemed to be office of profit. If he holds an office of
profit under any other organization, like local authority, Statutory
Corporation or Board or a Co-operative Society, that will not be office of
profit so as to disqualify him to be chosen as and for being a member of a
Panchayat.
7. Mr.Patwalia, learned senior counsel for the respondents invited our
attention to Chapter VII at pg.637 of the Principles of Statutory
Interpretation (11th Edn.2008) by Justice G.P.Singh, which reads as under :
" The use of any particular form of words is not necessary to bring
about an express repeal. All that is necessary is that the words used show an
intention to abrogate the Act or provision in question. The usual form is to
use the words' is or are hereby repealed' and to mention the Acts sought to be
repealed in the repealing section or to catalogue them in a Schedule. The use
of words ' shall cease to have effect', is also not uncommon.
When the object is to repeal only a portion of an Act words 'shall be
omitted' are normally used. The legislative practice in India shows that
'omission' of a provision is treated as amendment which signifies deletion of
that provision and is not different from repeal. It has been held that
"there is no real distinction between repeal and an amendment." It
has also been held that" where a provision of an Act is omitted by an Act
and the said Act simultaneously re-enacts a new provision which substantially
covers the field occupied by the repealed provision with certain modification,
in that event such re-enactment is regarded having force continuously and the
modification or changes are treated as amendment coming into force with effect
from the date of enforcement of re-enacted provision."
Similarly, our attention was invited to a paragraph at page 639.
There it has been observed as follows:
" The Legislature sometimes does not enumerate the Acts sought to be
repealed, and only says that " all provisions inconsistent with this
Act" are hereby repealed. With respect to such a repealing provision, it
has been said that it merely substitutes for the uncertainty of the general law
an express provision of equal uncertainty; and in determining whether a
particular earlier provision is repealed by such a repealing provision on the
ground of inconsistency with it, the same provisions which are application in
determining a question of implied repeal have to be applied."
At page 640, under the heading Implied repeal it has been observed as
follows:
" There is a presumption against a repeal by implication; and the
reason of this rule is based on the theory that the Legislature while enacting
a law has a complete knowledge of the existing laws on the same subject-matter,
and therefore, when it does not provide a repealing provision, it gives out an
intention not to repeal the existing legislation.
When the new Act contains a repealing section mentioning the Acts which it
expressly repeals, the presumption against implied repeal of other laws is
further strengthened on the principle expressio unius est exclusion alterius.
Further, the presumption will be comparatively strong in case of virtually
contemporaneous Acts. The continuance of existing legislation, in the absence
of an express provision of repeal, being presumed, the burden to show that
there has been a repeal by implication lies on the party asserting the same.
The presumption is, however, rebutted and a repeal is inferred by necessary
implication when the provisions of the later Act are so inconsistent with or
repugnant to the provisions of the earlier Act " that the two cannot stand
together"."
As already mentioned above it is very clear that Section 142 clearly
contemplates that the earlier laws which are inconsistent with the Act shall
stand repealed and it is saved to the limited extent as provided under Section
143. Therefore, if both the provisions i.e.
Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994 and Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994 can be read
harmoniously to show that the disqualifications which are mentioned for holding
office of profit are that an incumbent should not be an employee or a salaried
person under the Panchayat, or under Municipality, or under the State
Government; or the Central Government. To this extent there is identity between
the two provisions and no other disqualifications have been saved and it has
been subsequently repealed and it is more than apparent from Sections 142 and
143 of the Act 19 of 1994.
8. In Ratan Lal Adukia v. Union of India [(1989) 3 SCC 537] it has been held
as follows:
" The doctrine of implied repeal is based on the postulate that the
legislature which is presumed to know the existing state of the law did not
intend to create any confusion by retaining conflicting provisions. Courts in
applying this doctrine are supposed merely to give effect to the legislative
intent by examining the object and scope of the two enactments. But in a
conceivable case, the very existence of two provisions may by itself, and
without more, lead to an inference of mutual irreconcilability if the later set
of provisions is by itself a complete code with respect to the same matter. In
such a case the actual detailed comparison of the two sets of provisions may
not be necessary. It is a matter of legislative intent that the two sets of
provisions were not expected to be applied simultaneously."
9. In Hyderabad Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works Ltd. etc. v.
State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors. ([1964] 7 S.C.R. 376), it was held as
follows:
" By virtue of Entry 84 List I of the VII Schedule to the Constitution
no charge could be levied on the manufacture of medicinal preparations except
by the Union of India and since the 1955 Act is a law made otherwise by
Parliament within the meaning of Art. 277 the duties and other charges which
used to be levied by the State in connection with medicinal preparations could
no longer be levied by it. Further the effect of s.21 of the Act is that so far
as the Hyderabad Act applied to the use of alcohol in the manufacture of
medicinal and toilet preparations, the Hyderabad Act must be deemed to have
been repealed."
Therefore, it clearly transpires that by virtue of subsequent amendment of
the law made by the Parliament, the Hyderabad Act automatically stood repealed.
Similar is the position here also that the subsequent Act 19 of 1994 which has
come at later point of time, repeals the provisions of the Act 9 of 1994 so far
as it is inconsistent with the Act 19 of 1994.
10. As against this, learned senior counsel for the respondents, invited our
attention to a decision of this Court in Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Shiv
Shankar [ 1971 (1) SCC 442] wherein it has been held as follows:
" As the Legislature must be presumed in deference of the rule of law
to intend to enact consistent and harmonious body of laws, a subsequent
legislation may not be too readily presumed to effectuate a repeal of existing
statutory laws in the absence of express or at least clear and unambiguous
indication to that effect."
But in the present case, the intention of the Legislature is more than
apparent that the existing legislation as subsequently held under Section 142 of
the Act 19 of 1994 that this Act will have over- riding effect on all other
laws in the State and likewise, under Section 143 there is repeal. Therefore,
there is no question of ambiguity in the matter of intention of the legislature
as it is very clear.
11. In Kishorebhai Khamanchand Goyal v. State of Gujarat &
Anr.[ (2003) 12 SCC 274] their Lordships held as follows:
" There is a presumption against repeal by implication. The reason is
that the legislature while enacting a law is presumed to have complete
knowledge of the existing laws on the same subject-matter, and therefore, when
it does not provide a repealing provision the intention is clear not to repeal
the existing legislation. Besides when the new Act contains a repealing section
mentioning the Acts which it expressly repeals, the presumption against implied
repeal of other laws is further strengthened on the principle of expressio
unius (personae vel rei) est exclusion alterius.( The express intention of one
person or thing is the exclusion of another.) The continuance of existing
legislation, in the absence of an express provision of repeal being presumed,
the burden to show that there has been repeal by implication lies on the party
asserting the same. The presumption is, however, rebutted and a repeal is
inferred by necessary implication when the provisions of the later Act are so
inconsistent with or repugnant to the provisions of the earlier Act that the
two cannot stand together. But, if the two can be read together and some
application can be made of the words in the earlier Act, a repeal will not be
inferred. The necessary questions to be asked are:
-
Whether there is direct conflict
between the two provisions.
-
Whether the legislature intended to
lay down an exhaustive Code in respect of the subject-matter replacing the
earlier law.
-
Whether the two laws occupy the same
field."
As already mentioned there is no necessary implication. In this case, the
intention of the legislature is more than apparent.
12. Learned counsel for the appellant has tried to submit that in fact the
incumbent was virtually not holding the office of profit as he ceased to be an
employee for the last 8-9 years. We do not want to go into this controversy as
we have already decided the question of law involved in the present case that a
salaried employee of any local authority, statutory corporation or Board or a
Co- operative Society can not be held to have held the office of profit under
Section 11 of the Act 19 of 1994. Therefore, we need not to go into the factual
controversy. Mr. P.S.Patwalia, learned senior counsel for the respondents tried
to persuade us that we should look to the scope of both the Acts. The
disqualifications are only mentioned in Section 208 of the Act 9 of 1994 and
the intention of the legislature is very clear and Section 11 of the Act of
1994 being in later point of time stating therein what are the
disqualifications, therefore, the disqualifications mentioned in Section 11 of
the Act 19 of 1994 will prevail and not the disqualifications mentioned in
Section 208 of Act 9 of 1994. The disqualifications mentioned in Section 208
which are consistent with Section 11 of Act 19 of 1994 can only survive and not
other disqualifications.
13. As a result of our above discussions, we are opinion that the view taken
by the learned Single Judge on the basis of the judgment of the Division Bench
of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana cannot be sustained. Consequently, we
allow this appeal, set aside the judgment and order of the learned Single Judge
and hold that the appellant while serving in the Marketing Committee cannot be
held to be holding the office of profit. There would be no order as to costs.
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