DHIRENDRA PANDUA vs STATE OF ORISSA .

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court affirming the Election Tribunal's ruling that the appellant was disqualified from holding the office of Councillor and Chairperson under Sections 16(1)(iv) and 17(1)(b) of the Orissa Municipal Act, 1950 due to his status as a leprosy patient. The Court found that the Election Petition was maintainable and not barred by limitation as per Section 19 of the Act. The Court concluded that the appellant had not sufficiently proven his claim of being fully cured of leprosy, thus affirming the disqualification.