When any person who is or had been a Sarpahch, Upa-Sarpanch, President or Vice-

President of a panchayat or a Chairman of the Education Committee of district is accused of any offence alleged to have been committed by him while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty, no court shall take cognizance of such offence except with the previous sanction of the State government or any officer authorized by the State