Penalty for failure to handover charge by ex-Sarpanch and others

(1) Whoever after ceasing to hold Office as Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch, Member, Officer or other employee of the Grama Panchayat and having remained in possession at the time of such cessation, of any docu- (1) Any person who, having been the Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch or Member of a Grama Panchayat which has ceased to exist or who, having been a Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch or Member of a Grama Panchayat, has ceased to be such Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch or Member and who, having in his custody or control any register, record, money, cash, valuable security or other property which or the custody whereof lawfully belongs to the Grama Sasan, without sufficient cause fails to deliver up the same within seven days from the date of such cessation– (a) in the case of the Sarpanch, to his successor in Office or to the Collector or any other person authorised by him in that behalf; and (b) in any other case to the Sarpanch or any employee of the Grama Panchayat authorised by the Sarpanch in that behalf, shall without prejudice to any other liability under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, on conviction, be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both. (2) The offence under Sub-Section (1) shall be cognizable. (3) The person convicted under Sub-Section (1), if he had been the Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch or Member, shall notwithstanding anything contained in this Act be disqualified for a period of five years from the date of such conviction for being chosen as or continuing to remain a member of the Grama Panchayat. Explanation – For purposes of this Section– (a) "Successor in Office" shall include any succeeding Sarpanch or any other person exercising the powers of the Sarpanch under the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder; and (b) "Document" and "Valuable Security" shall have the same meaning as defined in Sections 29 and 30 respectively of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).