Shimla, Dec. 6 -- Breaking the deadlock over the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh, the High Court on Friday set aside the State Election Commissioner's notification and also struck down the amendment to Rule 9(2) of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Election) Rules, 1994.
The Court held that the amendment-which changed the basic unit of delimitation from Sabha area to Panchayat Samiti area-was arbitrary, irrational, contrary to constitutional mandate, and suffered from clear non-application of mind by the Council of Ministers.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Romesh Verma delivered the judgment while allowing a petition filed by Devinder Singh Negi, who had challenged the Rule 9(2)...