SUNIL HARIBHAU KALE vs AVINASH GULABRAO MARDIKAR

The Supreme Court ruled that the provisions of the Maharashtra Local Authority Member Disqualification Act, particularly Rule 3(5), are binding on elected members of local authorities regarding adherence to the directives of their group leader. The Court held that the recognition of the group leader, Avinash Gulabrao Mardikar, was valid as per the application submitted by the group members, and the subsequent attempt to change the leadership was not in accordance with the established procedures. The appeal by Sunil Haribhau Kale was dismissed, affirming the earlier decision of the Divisional Commissioner.