Puri, Aug. 14 -- Puri Civil Judge (Junior Division) Sidharth Sahankar Senapati has declared the election of sitting Sarpanch Sanjukta Maharana null and void, citing her ineligibility due to having four children.

The court has directed the authorities to hold fresh elections for the post.

According to reports, in the last gram panchayat elections, Maharana was elected Sarpanch of Pratap Purusottampur Gram Panchayat under Puri Sadar block.

The defeated candidate, Dipanjali, filed an election petition challenging Maharana's eligibility, stating that she had four children, which contravenes the norms of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections.

UNI XC DP BM

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from United News of Ind...