The Rajasthan High Court has admitted an appeal challenging the reservation of wards in Gram Panchayat Majhiwala for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), but declined to stay the ongoing Panchayat election process. The Division Bench comprised Chief Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal and Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu.
Background
The appeal was filed by Kanti Lal against the dismissal of his writ petition challenging the reservation arrangements in Gram Panchayat Majhiwala, Balotra district. He alleged that only 14 voters belonging to the Scheduled category were present in the Gram Panchayat and claimed that the population figures used for reservation were incorrect. He also challenged the notification concerning reservation of the Sarpanch post.
The Single Judge had dismissed the writ petition as not maintainable under Article 243-O of the Constitution, which restricts judicial interference in Panchayat elections.
Before the Division Bench, the appellant argued that the election notification under Rule 23 of the Rajasthan Panchayat Raj Election Rules, 1994, had not been issued when the election programme was announced on October 3, 2026. He contended that the constitutional restriction should not prevent the Court from examining his challenge.
The State opposed the appeal, submitting that the election process had already commenced and that the reservation exercise had been conducted through the prescribed administrative process.
The Bench referred to Supreme Court decisions on electoral disputes and observed that courts must avoid disrupting elections once the process is underway. It noted:
“where elections are imminent, the High Court while exercising its powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, should be cautious and refrain from passing orders that may interrupt, delay or postpone the election process.”
The Court further noted that Rajasthan’s Panchayat election process was in progress and scheduled to conclude by November 17, 2026.
The High Court declined to interfere with the election process and dismissed the application seeking interim relief.
However, it admitted the appeal, issued notice to the respondents and directed that the matter be listed for hearing after six weeks.
Case Details
Case Title: Kanti Lal v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.
Case Number: D.B. Special Appeal Writ No. 1237/2026
Judges: Chief Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal and Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu
Decision Date: October 15, 2026
