Absence of a Panch from the bench

(1) If any panch appointed to a bench constituted under Section 50 for the trial of a suit, criminal case or proceeding is absent at any hearing, the remaining panches may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, try the suit or proceeding, provided, however, that at least three panches, including the chairman, are present. (2) No trial as aforesaid shall be invalid by reason merely that all the five panches forming the bench were not present at any hearing or that the same panches were not present at all the hearings. (1) When the election returns referred to under Rule 49 have been completed, the Returning Officer shall declare in Form 16, where no seats are to be filled by members of the Scheduled Castes as many candidates securing the highest number of votes as there are seats to be filled to be duly elected. (2) Where one or more seats are reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes, the Returning Officer shall first declare those candidates, who being members of the Scheduled Castes, secure the largest number of votes to be duly elected to fill the reserved seats and then declare such of the remaining candidates as have secured the largest number of votes to be duly elected to fill the remaining seats. Illustration. At an election in a ward to fill four seats of which two are reserved, there are six candidates A, B, C, D, E, and F, and they secure votes in descending order, A securing the largest number, B, C and D are qualified to be chosen to fill the reserved seats, while A, E and F are not qualified. The Returning Officer will first declare B and C duly elected to fill the two reserved seats and then declare A and D (not A and E) to fill the remaining two seats. (3) A copy of the declaration under sub-rule (1) shall be posted at a conspicuous place at the office of the Returning Officer and the other copy shall be posted at the office of the Gaon Sabha. (4) The Returning Officer shall report the result of the Election to the Deputy Commissioner.