High Court Takes Serious View of Government Order Appointing Administrators, Seeks State’s Reply Within Two Days

Lucknow, July 2026 : The Lucknow Bench of the High Court on Tuesday heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Uttar Pradesh government’s order dated May 25, 2026, appointing administrators in place of elected Gram Pradhans (village heads) in Gram Panchayats. Taking a serious view of the matter, the court directed the state government to file its response within two days.

The PIL has been filed by advocate Sanjay Kumar Sharma, who appeared in person before the court. During the hearing, the petitioner argued that appointing administrators in place of elected village heads is contrary to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, the Panchayati Raj system, and the relevant statutory provisions. He contended that the move undermines the democratic structure and autonomy of Panchayati Raj institutions.

After hearing the arguments, the division bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjeev Shukla treated the objections to the government’s order with seriousness and sought an explanation from the state government. The court also directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department, to comply with the necessary directions and present the government’s stand in the matter.

Advocate Sanjay Kumar Sharma stated that the issue extends beyond the interests of Gram Pradhans and concerns the constitutional autonomy of Panchayati Raj institutions, democratic values, and the protection of rural self-governance in Uttar Pradesh. The petition seeks to have the state government’s order appointing administrators declared unconstitutional and illegal, and also requests the court to direct the government to conduct Panchayat elections at the earliest.

The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for July 10, 2026, before the division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjeev Shukla.