Pune: In a significant ruling, Navnath Jagdale, a former Sarpanch and current member of the Taradoli (Baramati) Gram Panchayat, has been disqualified from his position for misusing his office for personal financial gain.
The order was issued by District Collector Dr. Suhas Divase on September 10, following a detailed investigation into allegations of conflict of interest during Jagdale’s tenure as Sarpanch in 2021.
The investigation revealed that Jagdale facilitated the purchase of uniforms for Gram Panchayat employees from ‘Shubham Sari Depot,’ a shop owned by him and his wife, thus violating the 1959 Gram Panchayat Act.
A cheque worth ₹11,950 was issued to the shop for the uniforms. This act of self-dealing, where Jagdale personally profited from official procurement, ultimately led to his disqualification.
The case also involved Shrikant Dattatraya Gade, husband of Gram Panchayat member Ashwini Gade. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gade received ₹5,400 for minor works, including cleaning water tanks and tree planting.
However, in Gade’s case, the District Collector showed leniency, stating that the payment was made for essential services during a public health crisis, and cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The disqualification process began when Gram Panchayat members Vidya Bhapkar, Santosh Chaudhary, and Swati Gaikwad lodged complaints against Jagdale and Gade, accusing them of violating the Gram Panchayat's financial regulations.
Initially, the District Collector had disqualified both Jagdale and Gade, but the Divisional Commissioner later reversed this decision, reinstating their memberships.
Undeterred, Vidya Bhapkar approached the High Court, which in December 2023, ordered a fresh inquiry into the case. The court directed that both parties be given an opportunity to present their arguments again.
Following the inquiry, the District Collector upheld the decision to disqualify Jagdale, citing his direct financial involvement with the Gram Panchayat’s procurement.
Advocate Hemant Bhand Patil, representing Bhapkar, stressed that this case highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in local governance. Jagdale, however, has announced his intention to challenge the decision in the High Court.