Can't snatch voting rights of encroachers: Uttarakhand HC to Dhami govt
panchayat elections
.
Emphasising that voting rights are protected under Article 326 of the Constitution, a single judge bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani said neither judicial nor govt authorities can withdraw these rights. HC was hearing a petition filed by a group of residents, including Bhajan Singh and others, from Anand Nagar in Udham Singh Nagar, against the deletion of their names from the voter list, though they had participated in previous elections.
The petitioners also argued that, as beneficiaries of the prime minister's housing scheme, their classification as encroachers was questionable. The bench directed the petitioners to present their case to the department concerned for resolution in accordance with the law. The court said that the petitioners may return to court if their representation remains unaddressed.
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