Defense of suits against members, officers etc. to be at expense of Panchayat or Gram Sabha

Defense of suits against members, officers etc. to be at expense of Panchayat or Gram Sabha. - If a suit is brought against any member, officer or servant of the Panchayat or Gram Sabha in respect of any act purporting to be done by him in his official capacity, the expense of defending such suit shall be charged to the Panchayat or Gram Sabha fund; Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any suit against such member, officer or servant in respect of any act involving criminal liability or where the suit is brought by the Panchayat or Gram Sabha itself.