Suspension and removal of a Sarpanch or Panch

(1) The Director or the Deputy Commissioner concerned may, suspend any Sarpanch (Omitted by Haryana Act No. 10 of 1999) or Panch, as the case may be:- (a) Where a case against him in respect of any criminal offence is under investigation, enquiry or trial, if in the opinion of the Director or Deputy Commissioners concerned the charge made or proceeding taken against him, is likely to embarrass him in the discharge of his duties or involves moral turpitude or defect of character; (b) During the course of an enquiry for any of the reasons for which he can be removed, after giving him adequate opportunity to explain. (2) Any Sarpanch or Panch, as the case may be, suspended under sub-section (1) shall not take part in any act or proceeding of the Gram Panchayat during the period of his suspension and shall hand over the records, money or any other property of the Gram Panchayat in his possession or under his control:- (i) if he is a Sarpanch to a Panch commanding majority in the Gram Panchayat; (ii) if he is a Panch to Sarpanch: Provided that the suspension period of a Panch or a Sarpanch, as the case may be, shall not exceed one year from the date of handing over the charge in pursuance of the suspension order except in criminal cases involving moral turpitude. (3) The Director or the Deputy Commissioner concerned may, after such enquiry as he may deem fit and after giving an opportunity of being heard to a Sarpanch or (Omitted by Haryana Act No. 10 of 1999) a Panch, as the case maybe, ask him to show cause against the action proposed to be taken against him, and by order remove him from his office:- (3) (a) if after his election he is convicted by a criminal court for an offence involving moral turpitude and punishable with imprisonment for a period exceeding six months; (b) if he was disqualified to be a member of the Gram Panchayat at the time of his election; (c) if he incurs any of the disqualification mentioned in section 175 after his election as member of the Gram Panchayat; (d) if he is absent from five consecutive meetings of the Gram Panchayat without prior permission or leave of Gram Pachayat; and (e) if he has been guilty of misconduct in the discharge of his duties and his continuance in the office is undersirable in the public interest. (4) A person who has been removed under sub-section (3) may be disqualified for re-election for such period as may be mentioned in the order but not exceeding the period of six years. (5) Any person aggrieved by an order passed under sub-sections (1) (3) and (4) may within a period of thirty days from the communication of the order, prefer an appeal to the Government. (6) Any Sapanch or Panch, as the case may be, removed under sub-section (3) shall hand over the records, money or any other property of the Gram Panchayat in his possession or under his control:- (i) if he is Sarpanch to a Panch commanding majority in the Gram Panchayat; (i-a) if he is Sarpanch belonging to reserve category, to a Panch of that reserve category commanding majority, and if no Panch in that category is available, to a Panch of General Category commanding majority in the Gram Panchayat; and (ii) if he is a Panch to Sapanch