STATE OF GUJARAT & ANOTHER vs RAMAN LAL KESHAV LAL SONI & OTHERS

The Supreme Court examined the Gujarat Panchayat Act, 1961, determining the status of officers and servants of panchayats as government servants under Articles 14 and 311 of the Constitution. The Court held that the retrospective application of legislative changes affecting the status of government servants is permissible, provided it does not violate constitutional rights. The judgment clarified the relationship between panchayats and the state government, affirming the legislative intent to reorganize local governance without infringing on constitutional protections.