STATE OF U.P. vs JANKI DEVI PAL

The Supreme Court held that the removal of a Zila Panchayat Adhyaksha under Section 29 of the Uttar Pradesh Kshetra Panchayat and Zila Panchayat Adhiniyam, 1961, requires a proper inquiry conducted by a competent authority. The Court found that the inquiry conducted by an Additional District Magistrate was not valid as only a District Magistrate had the authority to conduct such an inquiry. Consequently, the Court quashed the order divesting the respondent of her powers, ruling that the inquiry was a nullity due to lack of jurisdiction.