LUCKNOW, May 2 -- The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has issued a contempt notice to Anil Kumar, principal secretary (panchayati raj department), Uttar Pradesh, seeking clarification on the timeline for constituting an Other Backward Classes (OBC) Commission for the upcoming panchayat elections in the state. A bench of justice Saurabh Lavania passed the order on April 28 on a contempt petition filed by a local lawyer, ML Yadav, and fixed May 19 as the next date of hearing. According to the plea, the high court had on February 4, 2026, disposed of an earlier petition after the state counsel assured that the government was in the process of constituting the OBC panel. However, contrary to this assurance, the petitioner alleged that the commission had not yet been set up. Taking note of the submission, the bench prima facie observed that despite the earlier undertaking, the commission has not been constituted, indicating a possible violation of the state's assurance to the court. The petitioner further submitted that the delay in constituting the panel is holding up preparations for the ensuing panchayat elections, as reservation for OBCs is determined based on the panel's report. The development comes at a time when the term of panchayats in Uttar Pradesh is nearing its end this month, even as the required commission has not yet been formed. The court is likely to examine the matter further on the next date of hearing....