Rupadhar Pujari vs Gangadhar Bhatra

The Supreme Court held that under Sections 30 and 31 of The Orissa Grama Panchayats Act, 1964, an election petition can seek a declaration of a candidate's election as valid. The Court affirmed the Munsif's finding that the respondent was disqualified due to having more than two children, as per Section 25(1)(v) of the Act. However, it ruled that the appellant's election petition did not properly seek a declaration of his own election, leading to the High Court's directive for a re-election instead of declaring the appellant elected.