Manju Devi v. The State Election Commission

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.10699 of 2026 ====================================================== Manju Devi wife of Shiv Shankar Das, Resident of village East Dighi Kala, PO Dighi Kala, PS Hajipur Sadar, District Vaishali, Bihar 844102, Presently ward councilor, ward no. 24, Hajipur Nagar parsiahd, District Vaishali ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State Election Commission through its Secretary, 3rd floor, Sone Bhawan, Veer Chand Patel Path, Patna 2.

Secretary, State Election Commission, 3rd floor, Sone Bhawan, Veer Chand Patel Path, Patna 3.

District Magistrate, Vaishali-cum-District Election Officer(Municipality), Vaishali 4.

That Hajipur Nagar Parishad through its Executive Officer, Hajipur, District Vaishali 5.

Sangeeta Kumari, Wife of Ramu Kumar Sahni, Resident of ward no.1, mohalla Hathsarganj, PO Hajipur, PS Hajipur Sadar, District Vaishali, presently Chief Councilor of Hajipur Nagar Parishad, District Vaishali. ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Ranjeet Choubey, Advocate.

For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Standing Counsel (15) For the Resp. Nos. 3&4 :

Mr. Ankit Katriyar, Advocate.

Mr. Rishi Sinha, Advocate.

Mr. Amit Kumar, Advocate.

For the SEC :

Mr. Ravi Ranja, Advocate.

Mr. Girish Sandeep, Advocate.

====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY ORAL ORDER 20-07-2026 Without going into the merits or demerits of the case, the present writ petition is disposed of at the stage of admission with the consent of both the Counsels.

2. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that the petitioner has filed a complaint

Patna High Court CWJC No.10699 of 2026(2) dt.20-07-2026 2/3 against the Respondent No. 5 herein seeking her disqualification under Section 18(2) of the Bihar Municipal Act, however, the respondent-authority i.e. the State Election Commission (Respondent No. 1 herein) is not taking any steps to dispose of the said complaint. Learned counsel submits that a direction may be given to the Respondent No. 1 to consider the said complaint and pass necessary orders strictly in accordance with law.

3. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Respondent-State Election Commission submits that he has no objection if a direction is given to the authority to dispose of the said complaint in accordance with law.

4. Having regard to the above made submissions, the present writ petition is disposed of directing the Respondent No. 1 herein to consider the said complaint filed by the petitioner and pass necessary orders strictly in accordance with law. The authority shall put the petitioner as well as the other interested party on notice and grant them an opportunity of hearing. The authority shall endeavour to dispose of the said complaint as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of 12 weeks from the date of the receipt of the copy of this order. Any orders passed shall be communicated to the party.

Patna High Court CWJC No.10699 of 2026(2) dt.20-07-2026 3/3

5. It is made clear that this Court has not gone into the merits of the case and it is for the competent authority to decide the matter in accordance with law.

6. With the above directions, the present writ petition stands disposed of.

(A. Abhishek Reddy, J) shakir/- U